A Golden Opportunity to Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Society of Toxicology

Abstract

In 2011, the Society of Toxicology (SOT) celebrates its 50th anniversary, and a variety of special activities have been planned to recognize this milestone during its annual meeting. I believe that this anniversary is a ‘‘golden’’ opportunity to celebrate the science of toxicology and what better vehicle for such a celebration than Toxicological Sciences, the official journal of the Society. Therefore, in this issue, we introduce the first in a series of invited reviews on scientific advancements in areas that have significantly impacted toxicology. There will be an invited review in each issue of the journal during 2011 and a special supplementary issue that will be published in March 2011. All the invited articles will also be available as an online collection at the journal’s website (http://toxsci.oxfordjournals.org). As I prepared to write this introductory editorial, I spent a little time reading about the early history of SOT. On 4 March 1961 (a Saturday), a group of nine men met in Washington, DC (two available remotely), to discuss the formation of a toxicology society. There was debate and discussion about possible problems with the Society of Pharmacology, the perception of splintering from the Society of Pharmacology, and whether to establish an internationally based organization from its inception. By 3:30 P.M. that afternoon, there was unanimous support for establishing a new society of toxicology that was open to all qualified scientists, and the seven members present each donated $5.00 to establish a working budget of $35.00 by which to launch the Society. The original bylaws for SOT were subsequently drafted by Dr Harry Hays while flying from Washington, DC, to Seattle on business, causing him to reflect on the fact that ‘‘we were high (37,000 ft) when the Constitution and By-Laws for SOT were drawn up.’’ The bylaws were approved 7 months after the initial organization meeting (4 October 1961), and the rest, as they say, is history (Hays, 1986). The term ‘‘golden age’’ is generally used to describe a time when advancements or enlightenments were at their highest. As SOT celebrates its golden anniversary, I believe we have maintained a golden age of scientific advancements for the past 50 years and there is no letting up. In this regard, there are many areas of toxicologic research that deserve inclusion in the anniversary series of authoritative reviews. Admittedly, the diversity of SOT precludes representing all aspects of toxicology, and because of length restrictions, these reviews will not be exhaustive. With these caveats acknowledged, the reviews are intended to encompass disciplines that have been the focus of many years of research, issues that have garnered attention with both scientists and the general public, or scientific advancements or research tools that influence how toxicology research is conducted. Additionally, a few topics will describe novel approaches in toxicology that may help to shape the future of the field. We have also tried to represent the global toxicology community as envisioned by the charter members by inviting authors from around the world. The authors have been asked to provide perspectives on important developments in the field over time along with current and future challenges and opportunities. My goal for these articles is that they will be viewed as a ‘‘golden collection’’—a significant scholarly compilation that educates toxicologists young and old, stimulates new ideas in toxicologic research, and celebrates our mission to create a safer and healthier world. I cannot imagine what the founding members of SOT may have envisioned about the development and growth of the Society on that Saturday in 1961, but I do not think they ever dreamed that the Society would have a journal with the scope, breadth, and impact that characterizes Toxicological Sciences today. What I can imagine is that, although we pause to celebrate 50 years of the SOT, the science of toxicology will continue to advance, and the collective efforts of the global toxicology community will continue to impact human and environmental safety. It is with great enthusiasm and anticipation that we begin a year-long 50th anniversary celebration in Toxicological Sciences. I hope that this golden collection celebrates and advances our science.