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SOT Position Statement Regarding the Role of Government in Science Regulation
SOT Position Statement Regarding
the Role of Government in Science Regulation
(Adopted by the Society of Toxicology
in January 1998)
Several scientific issues have emerged in which Congress has mandated
specific approaches to examine the role of environmental chemicals/environment
factors on human health. In one case, Congress mandated the method
(i.e., developmental validation of specific screening and testing
procedures) to address the issue of endocrine disruption. This ignores
the scientific process. In contrast, in the case of particulate
air pollution, Congress required development of an integrated research
strategy to address this issue in the absence of mandating specific
scientific approaches. This second example is more in keeping with
the
scientific process.
The position of the SOT on the mandating of specific approaches
to examine potential problems of environmental chemicals/environmental
factors on human health is provided below:
The Society of Toxicology is supportive of congressional initiatives
to pursue hypothesis-driven research aimed at understanding how
chemical and/or physical agents in the environment may adversely
affect human health and/or the environment. We believe that a
strong emphasis on a mechanism of action approach is required
in order to facilitate the rational identification, remediation
and prevention of releases into the environment of levels of agents
which may produce adverse effects. The position of the Society
of Toxicology is that Congress should use scientific experts to
assist in the development of legislation and should refrain from
mandating specific approaches with respect to pursuit or accomplishment
of research objectives.
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