Background
The Genetic Toxicology Association (GTA) is a tax-exempt educational and scientific organization that was founded in 1975 and incorporated in 1981 under the laws of the state of Delaware. Its primary purpose is to promote the development of the science of genetic toxicology and to foster the exchange and dissemination of information concerning the field.
Members
Membership in the GTA is open to anyone interested in genetic toxicology. The majority of members come from the mid-Atlantic and New England regions of the United States, although members from all geographic areas are welcome. Because of the geographic concentration of the majority of its members, the GTA includes professionals from a diverse cross-section of organizations: industrial, academic, governmental and commercial. The GTA thus provides a unique and important opportunity for scientists from different types of organizations to routinely and openly exchange knowledge, ideas, views and insights.
Activities
Formal scientific meetings of the GTA are held twice a year, in the Spring (usually the third Thursday of May) and Fall (usually the third Thursday of October). These are normally one-day meetings, held at centrally-located sites for the convenience of the majority of the membership. Recently, all GTA meetings have been held in the Clayton Hall Conference Center on the Campus of the University of Delaware in Newark, Delaware. In addition, special workshops lasting several days are occasionally arranged by the Board of Directors.
Topics of meetings have included:
- P450 Metabolism/Induction
- Transgenic Animals for the Evaluation of Exogenous Materials
- Detection and Molecular Analysis of Human Genetic Disease
- Tumor Promotion, Receptors, and Thresholds in Carcinogenesis
- Assessing the Safety of the Products of Biotechnology
- Measurement of Indirect Genotoxicity
- In Vivo and In Vivo/In Vitro Measures of Germ Cell Damage
- What do Federal Agencies Want in Genetic Toxicity Test Data?
- Future Directions in the Application of Short Term Tests
- Cytotoxicity Assessment and Dose Level Selection in Genetic Toxicology Testing
- Chemical Interactions in Mutagenesis
- Variations in Cell Culture Conditions: Effects on the Outcome of In Vitro Assays
A survey of assays performed by governmental, academic, industrial and contract laboratories throughout the entire United States is conducted at intervals.
A no-fee, nationwide Placement Service is supported for members to match openings in genetic toxicology with qualified candidates.
The Association maintains this Web site and publishes a semiannual Newsletter containing meeting notices, upcoming workshops, Board meeting reports, placement service listings, and news of interest to the membership.
The GTA publishes a membership directory every two years.
Governing
The Board of Directors of the GTA comprises seven members elected by the membership at large. Directors serve a three-year term on a rotating basis. Officers of the Association are elected from the Board membership and include a Chairperson, a Secretary and a Treasurer. The board meets four times per year, at the time of the Spring and Fall meetings, and also in the Winter and Summer. All members are welcome to attend Board meetings.