摘要: Summary — Taking the 110th anniversary of marketing aspirin as starting point, almost scary toxicological profile is contrasted with its actual use experience. The author concludes that we are lucky that, in 1899, there was no regulatory toxicology. Adding, for purpose this article, a fourth R to Three Rs, i.e. Realism, three reality-checks carried out. first one comes conclusion tools toxicology hardly adequate challenges ahead. second specifically, implementation EU REACH system not feasible these tools, mainly regard throughput. third belief classical alternative methods, replacing animal test-based by one, actually leading new it appears change only patches patchwork, but overcome any inherent limitations other than ethical ones. perspective lies Toxicology 21st Century initiatives, which aim create approach from scratch, an evidence-based and global “Human Programme”.