Photo call of TEMA-1 delegates at the Rowett Institute, Aberdeen, UK, 1969
TEMA-1 Delegates
Preface to the TEMA-1 Proceedings
The study of trace element metabolism and function and the nature of disorders arising from trace element deficiency and excess in man and other animals is a field of scientific endeavour which cuts right across the conventionally accepted boundaries of biochemistry, physiology, nutrition and human and veterinary medicine. At the early meetings, during which the ideas for this Symposium first took shape, it was agreed that one of the most important factors responsible for the slow application of knowledge of the importance of the trace elements in the nutrition of domesticated animals and man was the inadequacy of existing opportunities to discuss recent research findings and to consider the limitations of existing knowledge. It was agreed that steps should be taken to promote an interdisciplinary meeting at which the opportunity would be provided for discussion of these topics. It rapidly became apparent that this proposal to hold a Symposium on Trace Element Metabolism in Animals had generated widespread interest and it became obvious that the objectives of the meeting would best be served by making it truly international in character. In recognition of this international character the co-sponsors of the Symposium thus became the International Biological Programme and the World Association for Animal Production.
The meeting had two main objectives; firstly, to provide a forum in which recent progress in studies of the metabolism and functional roles of the trace elements could be discussed, and secondly, to provide the opportunity for an interchange of ideas between workers investigating these fundamental aspects of the biological function of the trace elements and those whose task it is to apply their findings in the fields of nutrition and human or veterinary medicine. These aims were chosen because of the belief of the organizers that from a meeting of this nature could come a concentration of effort on those problems which today so often prevent us from clearly recognizing the existence of disorders arising from trace element deficiency or excess and prevent us from making a clear quantitative assessment of the requirements of animals for many of the trace elements.
This International Symposium was held in Aberdeen in July 1969.
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The proceedings of this conference, including the discussions following many of the scientific contributions, have been edited and are collected in this volume. Most of the 154 invited participants were active workers in the field under review and as a result the Symposium was vigorous and the discussions concise. Due to circumstances beyond the Organizing Committee’s control it is regrettable that coverage of recent work on chromium and cobalt is incomplete but, with these exceptions, this volume presents a picture of the state of existing knowledge and emphasizes points of growth and conflict in the study of trace element metabolism and utilization. To assist rapid publication the proofs of papers and records of the discussions were not generally circulated to participants for correction and the General Editor therefore accepts full responsibility for any errors or omissions. The preparation of this volume would have been a much more difficult task without the help of Drs. I. Bremner, J. Quarterman and J.K. Chesters who acted as assistant editors and without the advice of Mr. R.B. Williams who acted as Symposium treasurer. We are indebted to Mr. W. Morton for his meticulous work in preparing tape recordings of all discussions, to Miss E.S. Davidson and Mrs. J. Webster who bore the immense task of transcribing the proceedings and to Mr. T.D. Bell who prepared the index. Finally we are pleased to acknowledge the help of the staff of the School of Agriculture, University of Aberdeen who acted as hosts for the meeting and to thank the staff of Messrs E. and S. Livingstone for their help and encouragement during the preparation of this volume for publication. To Beryl and Caroline I would like to add a personal apology for those occasions during the past two years when I have been found thinking abstractedly of Symposium affairs at times when my thoughts should have been elsewhere. To a wife and to a daughter I express sincere thanks for the patience and encouragement which did so much to make my own participation in this meeting so enjoyable. C.F. Mills |
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