Range of scientific findings scheduled for discussion

The Society of Toxicology will hold its annual spring meeting, Sunday, March 14 through Thursday, March 18, at the New Orleans Ernest E. Morial Convention Center and nearby hotels.

Findings to be discussed range from the latest research on naturally occurring carcinogens and anticarcinogens and the use of genetically engineered animals for cancer research to the applications of new developments in molecular biology to toxicological research. More than 2,000 abstracts in 30 scientific sessions will be presented to the approximately 5,000 attendees.

The meeting is open to the media and a media center will be located in the convention center. A complete schedule is available on the Internet at http://www.toxicology.org. Reporters seeking to make arrangements to attend the meeting should contact SOT Public Affairs Director Deborah Hyman at 703-438-3115, ext. 327.

From Monday through Wednesday during the meeting, more than 200 companies will be exhibiting products and services of interest to the toxicology community.

Symposia and topics scheduled for discussion include:

• Natural chemicals that protect against cancer and some that may cause cancer.
• Environmental justice--are we being overexposed to harmful chemicals?
• New technology that will help scientists answer key questions about what levels of exposure to chemicals are safe.
• Research regarding chemical sensitivity of children versus that of adults.
• Transgenic Animals--use of genetically engineered animals to test for cancer causing potential for chemicals and to increase understanding of cancer biology.
• Annual SOT-Eurotox Debate--There are times when results of epidemiology studies seem at odds with the results of laboratory investigations. This debate will focus on how these differences may be resolved.