During the past year, an International Molecular Epidemiology (IME) Task Force was established to develop capabilities in molecular epidemiology for international health (1). The mission of the IME Task Force is: 1) to facilitate the development and implementation of programs in molecular epidemiology in all regions of the world, and 2) to promote advanced biotechnology transfer for scientific research and its integration into medicine and public health for disease prevention. Within each participating country, a National Scientific Committee with Government Advisors for the IME Task Force is established to interact with the international representatives and direct the molecular epidemiology program for that nation.
The Argentinean Scientific Committee for the IME Task Force was established in October, 1993. It represents a multi-disciplinary collaborative network of scientists, epidemiologists, health professionals and industry representatives who have met seven times since it was founded. Their charge is the development of a national molecular epidemiology program for Argentina, based on the country's current health problems which may be ameliorated through molecular epidemiology. The foundation of this initiative is a situational analyses of the nation's state-of-the-art in epidemiology and molecular biology. Argentina is the first country in the IME Task Force to base their molecular epidemiology program on a scientific evaluation of existing national capabilities in these disciplines.
The situational analyses in Argentina is evolving from a national survey of institutions actively engaged in molecular biology and epidemiology. The universities, clinical and research facilities, organizations, etc. currently utilizing advanced biotechnology, as well as those involved in epidemiology and public health, have been identified by the Argentinean National Scientific Committee. After pilot testing the national survey, directors at these institutions were contacted to determine the ongoing research activities, available human, technical and financial resources and existing training programs which may be relevant to a national molecular epidemiology program. The survey will, therefore, emphasize the national expertise and infrastructure presently available, as well as provide a scientific overview of the resources that will be required in the future for the development of molecular epidemiology in Argentina.
Specifically, the situational analyses will lead to the formation of plans for: 1) the transfer of advanced biotechnology for basic and epidemiologic research of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in the country, 2) collaborative disease-specific projects for the prevention and control of conditions which are the focus of national health policy, 3) short and long-term training programs in molecular epidemiology, and 4) the evaluation of the effectiveness of the molecular epidemiology program at meeting its objectives. The situational analyses for Argentina will be completed during 1994 and presented to national and international authorities for support. It will be distributed to other countries represented in the IME Task Force as a model approach for developing a national molecular epidemiology program.
The attainment of "health for all by the year 2000" is a goal which all nations are actively pursuing. Although better social and economic conditions, health care delivery and education programs must continue to be developed, international health can also be realized through molecular epidemiology and the transfer of advanced biotechnology. The Argentinean National Scientific Committee of the IME Task Force is increasing capabilities in molecular epidemiology, which will strengthen national scientific expertise, enhance technology development, increase human resources and reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with the most prevalent diseases in both developing and industrialized countries. These are objectives of the Pan American Health Organization's Strategic Orientations and Program Priorities. The Argentinean national molecular epidemiology program will contribute to this effort.
Argentinean Scientific Committee: Chairs: Dr. Julio Libman, Dr. Jorge Palazzi; Members: Dra. Marta Almirón, Dr. Juan Anderson, Dr. Juan C. Bossio, Dr. Héctor J. Boffi-Boggero, Lic. Silvana Carnevale, Dr. N‚stor Carrillo, Dr. Eduardo Ceccarelli, Dra. Ana Mar¡a Di Lonardo, Dra. Angelica Lidia Distéfano, Dra. María Inés Ferniot, Dr. Gustavo Frechtel, Dr. Juan Victor Morando, Dra. Elena Orellano, Dra. Paula Padula, Dra. Maria Alejandra Picconi, Dr. F‚lix Puchulu, Dr. Maximino Ruiz, Dr. Leonardo Satz, Dra. Marta de Sereday. REFERENCES
Development of Molecular Epidemiology in Mexico. Bulletin of PAHO 28 (1), 1994.
Further information about the IME Task Force can be obtained from Dr. Janice S. Dorman, Director for Molecular Epidemiology, WHO Collaborating Center for Diabetes Registries, Research and Training, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, 3460 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA, FAX (412) 692-8329, INTERNET jsd@vms.cis.pitt.edu.