Photuchemisrry und Phurobiulugy, 1972, Vol. 16, p. 527. Pergamon Press. Printed in Great Britain

NOTICE

AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR PHOTOBIOLOGY

THE American Society for Photobiology has been founded by the Committee on Photobiology of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences/National Research Council. The science of photobiology is broadly defined to include all biological phenomena involving non-ionizing radiation.

The Charter Officers and Councilors are: President: Kendric C. Smith (Stanford University) Vice President: Angelo A. Lamola (Bell Telephone Laboratories) Secretary: Edwin W. Abrahamson (Case Western Reserve University) Treasurer: Leo P. Vernon (Brigham Young University) Councilcrs: Winslow R. Briggs, David R. Kearns, Karl H. Noms, Claud S. Rupert, Thomas R. C. Sisson,

John D. Spikes, Beatrice M. Sweeney, Frederick Urbach.

The purpose of the Society shall be: (1) To promote original research in photobiology, (2) To facilitate the integration of different disciplines in the study of photobiology, (3) To promote the dissemination of knowl- edge of photobiology, and (4) To provide information on the photobiological aspects of national and inter- national problems.

Membership in the Society shall be open to persons who share the stated purpose of the Society and who have educational, research, or practical experience in photobiology or in an allied scientific field.

A Charter Member is one who shares the stated purpose of the Society and who pays his dues for 1972. The dues for 1972 are $10, those for 1973 are $20 and include a complimentary subscription to Photo- chemistry andPhotobiology.

The Council of the Society may elect a person or corporation a Sustaining Member as a result of demon- strated and substantial acts benefiting the Society or its purposes. Only in the case of a person qualified as a Member may a Sustaining Member vote or hold office.

Solar radiation is probably the most important element in our environment and yet, perhaps because of its ubiquity, the wide scope of its chemical and biological effects is often not fully appreciated. Research has been performed on the effects on man of other environmental factors such as temperature, pressure and noise, yet very little research has been performed on the effects of light (beneficial and detrimental) on man and his environment. Fortunately, this situation is now slowly being remedied. It is very important that we understand more about the biochemical and psychological effects of light on man since we now spend a major fraction of our life under artificial light, and all light bulbs are not the same. The American Society for Photobiology plans to take an active role in educating society in general about the unique properties of light and thus to dispel current misconceptions and “old wives tales” about light that presently are held by many-regrettably even by some photobiologists.

Photobiology currently consists of several specialized areas of research such as bioluminescence, chrono- biology, environmental photobiology, medicine, photochemistry, photomorphogenesis, photomovement, photoreception, photosensitization, photosynthesis, phototechnology, spectroscopy, ultraviolet radiation effects and vision. One goal of the American Society for Photobiology is to provide a basis for communication, that is presently lacking, among the scientists in these different areas of photobiology through scientific meet- ings and publications.

The Society also plans to make available information on the photobiological and photochemical aspects of national and international problems. Current problems of national concern that require accurate photobio- logical information are: (1) what would be the consequence to man and his environment if SST aircraft should damage the ozone layer and thus let more ultraviolet radiation reach the earth? (2) Visible light irradiation of premature babies with congenital jaundice: is a widely used form of therapy. How can this radiation treatment be used most effectively? (3) The effects of pesticides on man are of concern but only recently has the question been raised as to the toxicity of pesticide molecules that have been photochemically altered by sun- light. How big a problem is the photochemical alteration of pesticides? National committees are now beginning to investigate each of these problems.

The first annual scientific meeting of the American Society for Phorobiology is scheduled for Sarasota, Florida, tentatively for 11-14 June, 1973. In addition to regular research papers and symposia, a special symposium is planned on the subject Light and the Quality of the Environmen?.

For information on how to join this Society and to participate in its activities, write to Dr. Kendric C. Smith, Department of Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305.

5 2 1