EFI Members Directory - The European Federation for Immunogenetics Members Directory

The Need for More International Co-operation in the Field of Immunogenetics

Frans Claas

Our sister organisation, ASHI (The American Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics) is currently reconsidering its position in the medical and scientific field. A strategic planning meeting was held from January 18-20, 2001 in Hilton Head Island. As new chairman of the International Affairs Committee of ASHI, I was invited to attend this meeting.

An interactive brainstorming meeting of the Council of ASHI and the chairpersons of the different committees has led to the definition of a new mission statement and several action points to reach the new goals. ASHI would like to broaden its field, especially as histocompatibility testing for transplantation is threatened more and more by the introduction of more effective immunosuppression. The new mission is the advancing of science and practice in immunogenetics and its impact on the quality of human life.

In order to reach these goals, the interaction with basic scientists, clinicians and other organisations in the field of immunogenetics is very important. A closer co-operation between EFI, ASHI, ASEATTA and other societies for immunogenetics is essential to promote the discipline in a uniform way to the outside world. Both the clinical application of immunogenetics, not only in the field of blood transfusion and transplantation, but also in vaccination, immunotherapy of cancer and autoimmune diseases, and the interaction with basic scientists working in these fields should be stimulated.

At the moment, the interaction between EFI and ASHI mainly concerns topics related to the standards and accreditation. Of course this co-operation should be continued and even extended. However we should also aim at harmonisation of the education and exchange of speakers and young scientists at the yearly meetings of EFI, ASHI and ASEATTA. A closer interaction will also be stimulated by the introduction of special interest groups, composed of members of the different societies. A lot of interest has already been expressed with respect to the formation of a group involved in unrelated stem cell transplantation.

Although international co-operation already exists for a long time as is clearly illustrated by the success of the International Histocompatibility Workshops, it needs more continuity and should cover a broad package of organisational, educational and scientific topics in the field of immunogenetics.

The meeting in Granada will be an excellent opportunity for EFI to consider its current and future position in the field and its relation with the sister societies.