Molecular epidemiology has recently been defined as "a science that focuses on the contribution of potential genetic and environmental risk factors, identified at the molecular level, to the etiology, distribution and prevention of disease within families and across populations". This new field has recently emerged from the integration of molecular biology into traditional epidemiologic research. The objectives of molecular epidemiology are quite broad and include: 1) descriptive and analytical studies to evaluate host/environmental interactions in disease, 2) the development of strategies for the control of bacterial, parasitic and viral disorders through molecular diagnosis, and 3) the prevention of non-communicable diseases and genetic disorders by assessing risk and identifying susceptible individuals through genetic screening.
As yet, few countries in Latin America are involved in molecular epidemiology due to a lack of trained molecular epidemiologists and a shortage of appropriate equipment, reagents and supplies. While public health efforts must continue to focus on improving social and economic conditions and providing education and health care to under-served populations, the attainment of international health can also be realized by the development of molecular epidemiology and the transfer of advanced biotechnology.
To assist nations acquire capabilities in molecular epidemiology, an International Molecular Epidemiology (IME) Task Force has recently been established by Dr. Janice S. Dorman, Co-Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Diabetes, Registries and Training at the University of Pittsburgh. Its mission 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. Each participating country is establishing a National Scientific Committee with Government Advisors to interact with the international members and direct the molecular epidemiology program for that nation. This structure assures that the activities related to the development of molecular epidemiology are integrated with other national health programs and lead to the establishment of appropriate health policy.
On July 27, 1993, the first meeting of the Mexican National Scientific Committee and Government Advisors for the IME Task Force was hosted by Dr. Juan Manuel Sotelo Figueiredo, Representative of the Pan American Health Organization, at their offices in Mexico City. At that time, plans were made to develop a national program for molecular epidemiology in Me‚xico. This initiative is supported by the Minister of Health, Dr. Jesus Kumate, and will include: 1) short courses or workshops in molecular epidemiology, 2) a formal graduate training program in molecular epidemiology, 3) the development of molecular technology at centers actively collaborating with epidemiologists, and 4) a session on molecular epidemiology at the V National Congress of Public Health in Cuernavaca (January 24-26, 1994). Additional activities targeted towards specific infectious and non-communicable diseases will be considered in the near future.
México is the first country in Latin America to initiate a national program in molecular epidemiology, although parallel activities have begun in Asia and Africa and are currently being planned for Argentina and other countries in the Region. This effort will be facilitated by the Pan American Health Organization and will complement the Strategic Orientations and Program Priorities for 1991-1994 by developing approaches to control and/or eliminate diseases, enhancing technological development, and increasing human resources. The program will further strengthen the country's excellent infrastructure with regard to scientific expertise, biotechnology capabilities, epidemiology and international collaboration. The evolution of molecular epidemiology in México represents a new vision for public health, and will no doubt contribute to the attainment of "health for all by the year 2000".
Mexican Scientific Committee: Chair: Dra. Clara Gorodezky; Members: Dr. Francisco Alvarado, Dr. Edmundo Calva, Dr. Roberto Cedillo Rivera, Dr. Alejandro Garcˇa Carranc , Dr. Patricio Gariglio, Dr. José Ignacio Santos, Dr. Francisco López Antuñano, Dr. Adolfo Martínez Palomo, Dra. Esther Orozco, Dra. Guadalupe Ortega, Dr. Arturo Panduro, Dr. Lourival Possani, Dr. Fabio Salamanca, Dr. Joaquín Sánchez Castillo; Government Advisors: Dr. Jesús Kumate Rodriguez, Dr. Jaime Sepulveda Amor, Dr. Roberto Tapia Conyer, Dr. Jose‚ Luis Valdespino Gómez, Dr. Mauricio Hernández, Dr. Carlos Santos Borgoa; PAHO Advisors: Dr. Juan Manuel Sotelo Figueredo and Dr. Luis Cabrera Coello.