A GLOBAL SETAC: ONE SOCIETY

Abstract

The Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) was founded in North America in 1979 to provide a forum for interdisciplinary communication among environmental scientists and others interested in environmental issues such as managers, engineers, and governmental agencies. The society recruited members from all over the world, the majority coming from North America. In 1989, SETAC Europe was founded as a continental unit of SETAC, one that shared the aims and goals of the sister organization. There was a feeling that matters of special importance to Europe needed a European approach and would thus receive more attention in a European context. Today, SETAC is an esteemed society both in North America and Europe and receives increasing attention in the rest of the world as well. This growing interest has resulted in the formation of two more geographic units: SETAC Asia/Pacific, founded in 1997, and SETAC Latin America, which began in 1999. A succession of governing bodies for SETAC and SETAC Europe have worked to create a model for a global SETAC with a global council and committees responsible for global issues, including the flagship for all units of SETAC, the journal Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. These efforts reached their climax in April of this year when members of the Boards of Directors and Councils from North America, Europe, Latin America, and Asia/Pacific met in Pensacola for a highly productive workshop. With expansion comes diversity and change, and this is most certainly desirable. It may be time, however, to focus on and to emphasize a SETAC unified by ideals, instead of diversified by geography. During the last two years, members of all branches of the organization have realized the importance of having SETAC recognized as one society all over the world. Single geographic units acting alone with separate identities can never achieve the same impact as one large, diverse scientific society offering the same services to all members. We must take care that the geographic labels attached to our society do not overshadow the unified purpose and principles we espouse. Other successful international societies can serve as models for acting as a single unit, regardless of geographic locations, and groups within our own organization have demonstrated how this can be accomplished. The Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) group within SETAC and other advisory groups have already achieved close cooperation and a collaborative spirit that projects a unified image. The international status of our society has fostered closer cooperation between the LCA group and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). In Europe, our journal- Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry-is regarded as a candidate for publication of opinions of the Scientific Committee on Toxicity, Ecotoxicity and the Environment e.g., on endocrine-disrupting chemicals. The Scientific Committee is the science advisory body to the Directorate-General on Health and Consumer Protection of the EU Commission. The SETAC Technical Issue Paper on Sound Science [1] was recognized as an admirable contribution to the discussion on sound science by Joseph Huggard, Director of European Environmental Practice in the Weinberg Group, a worldwide independent science advisory corporation [2]. As a member of SETAC, after having attended several meetings in North America and Europe, I increasingly appreciate the fundamental concept of SETAC. I believe the tripartite principle of representation of academia, government, and business in all governing bodies and committees is unique for a scientific society. Hindsight tells us that the representation model developed by the founders of SETAC was progressive and wise, as well as a harbinger for future success. The principle of tripartite representation is also carried over to workshops and advisory groups and appears to be highly fruitful for the dissemination of sound environmental science in decision making in both industry and in governmental agencies. The merger of SETAC News and SETAC Europe News to form the SETAC Globe will be another unifying force. Members will be able to read about events pertinent to the society as a whole. An article on the very successful 3rd SETAC World Congress held in Brighton, United Kingdom, in May appeared in the July issue of the SETAC Globe. Members everywhere read of its great success-the highest number of participants and scientific contributions ever at a SETAC meeting in Europe. The Brighton meeting also focused on decision making in cases with lack of scientific evidence, that is, use of the precautionary principle. Although it is possible to reach a consensus on the need for this principle, we still have a long way to go to reach an agreement on how to practice it. This was reflected in the debate on the last day of the Brighton meeting. The interaction between human activities, including industry, agriculture, and population sprawl, and the environment is complex, and the consequences of these activities are only partly known and understood. This will also be the case in the future, as the resources needed for research into all aspects of human activities that impact the environment are prohibitively huge. Thus, decisions must be made on the basis of limited knowledge. To do so, it is urgent that we employ the precautionary principle in order to protect the environment. In the coming years, discussion on the use of this principle is likely to intensify. SETAC provides an excellent forum for this discussion. I see an important role for the society in the development of decision-making tools based on precaution and sound science utilizing the knowledge, experience, and worldwide perspective of scientists, engineers, and managers.