News and Reviews

IUTOX Commission on Science

The commission developed and sponsored a regional scientific symposium in Chile entitled: Toxicogenonica and Una Nueva Disciplia en la Evalucion del Riesgo de Enfermedades Relacionadas a Contaminantes Ambientales. The symposium was developed by Drs. Donald Reed, Christopher Schonwalder and Glenn Sipes in collaboration with Drs. Lionel Gil and Marta Adonis of the Universidad de Chile. It was held in Santiago, Chile from September 30 - October 1, 2002. Funding was provided by IUTOX, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the Laboratorio de Bioquimica y Toxicologia Ambiental of the Universidad de Chile. The Electric Power Research Institute (USA) and the USA Environmental Protection Agency provided support for speakers.

The scientific program included symposia on: Biomarkers and their use in Environmental Health Research; Air Pollution and Human Health; Mechanisms of Arsenic Toxicity. Speakers were from Chile, Mexico, Australia and the United States.

In addition to the symposia, the program included a workshop on development of collaborative research programs between investigators from Chile and the United States. Several proposals were discussed and presented in oral form. It is planned that some of the proposals will be formalized and submitted to the National Institutes of Health’s Fogarty Center for consideration for funding.

The other outcome of the meeting was the decision to develop an Andean Society of Toxicology. Dr. Marta Adonis presented the objectives of such a society and how it could interact with IUTOX. Dr. Glenn Sipes reported on the mission goals and activities of IUTOX. He stated the IUTOX would help nurture the development of an Andean Society of Toxicology and emphasized that it would be welcomed into IUTOX once it was established and demonstrated an active and continuing program.

After discussion a draft constitution was discussed and an organizing committee was formed. This committee had representation from Chile, Peru, Paraguay, Brazil and Argentina. After the close of the workshop, the organizing committee met and formulated plans to develop such a society.

Overall, this regional program was a huge success. The number of participants (over 160) greatly exceeded the original estimates of 50. The scientific presentations were followed by lively discussions. Considerable enthusiasm was evident for the development of an Andean Society of Toxicology. IUTOX extends its sincere thanks to the organizers; speakers and attendees of the symposium. It wishes the organizers of the Andean Society of Toxicology continued success and pledges to assist in its development.