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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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