Page 64 - Veterinary Toxicology, Basic and Clinical Principles, 3rd Edition

Concepts in Veterinary Toxicology Chapter | 1 31

VetBooks.ir science and society at large. Some have characterized tox- note, based on rigorous examinations, that I am a
Diplomate of both the ABVT and the American Board of
icology as a distinct scientific discipline. I view toxicol-
Toxicology (ABT). In my opinion, education, experience,
ogy as an applied area of science addressing important
societal issues by drawing on multiple scientific disci- and credentials are important. Over my career, I have
plines and professions. Veterinary toxicology, as a sub- recruited more than 500 students and 100 professionals. If
specialty in veterinary medicine, has a specific origin: the the individuals did not already have Board or other certifi-
diagnosis and treatment of toxicoses in domestic animals cation, I strongly encouraged them at the first opportunity
and companion animals. That important role continues to take the appropriate examinations. I have been repaid
today. However, the field has broadened to include con- many times over by following their successful careers and
cern for contaminants in human food products originating contributions to society. My career has involved working
from animals and for contributing to the conduct and with many individuals with quite varied backgrounds in
interpretation of safety/risk evaluations for pharmaceuti- multiple disciplines and has been remarkably varied,
cals, food additives, consumer products, and specific che- highly productive, and enjoyable. I hope it will serve as
micals. Veterinary toxicologists who understand both encouragement to others to recognize that the career
normal and disease processes extending from the molecu- opportunities for veterinary toxicologists well-grounded
lar level to the integrated mammalian organism and, in comparative medicine are without bounds.
indeed, populations, have an array of opportunities for I also dedicate this chapter to the memory of my long-
making significant contributions to medical science and time friend, Charles C. Capen (1936 2008), an interna-
to society. The prospects for the future of veterinary toxi- tionally recognized comparative pathologist and endocrine
cology and the opportunities for well-educated veterinary toxicologist. A complete obituary was published in
toxicologists with broad experience have never been Toxicologic Pathology (Anonymous, 2008). Chuck and I
brighter. were classmates in the College of Veterinary Medicine at
Washington State University receiving our Doctor of
Veterinary Medicine degrees in 1960. Chuck immediately
DEDICATION
entered the residency and graduate program in Veterinary
It is my pleasure to dedicate this chapter to a celebration Pathology at The Ohio State University (OSU). He
of the 50th anniversary of the American Board of received his PhD from OSU in 1965 and soon passed the
Veterinary Toxicology (ABVT) and my four colleagues certifying examination of the American College of
(William Buck, Fred Oehme, Robert Singer and V.K. Veterinary Pathologists (ACVP) and became an ACVP
Singh) who passed the first ABVT examination with me Diplomate. He progressed rapidly through the academic
in 1967 (Dorman et al, 2017). ranks, becoming a full Professor and, ultimately, a
It has been over 50 years since I filed my application Distinguished University Professor. He provided outstand-
to take the first examination of the ABVT. I filed the ing leadership as Chairperson from 1981 to 2002 of the
application to take the ABVT examination recognizing I OSU Department of Veterinary Biosciences. He was an
had not completed a formal residency or PhD training outstanding teacher and researcher. One of his major con-
program in veterinary toxicology. However, I was confi- tributions was in the interpretation of endocrine system
dent in my knowledge of the field acquired working a the effects observed in laboratory animal species as to their
Hanford Atomic Products Operations Biology Laboratory significance as predictors of human disease for various
for 5 years with an extraordinarily talented and thoughtful chemicals, including candidate pharmaceuticals. His spe-
mentor, the late Leo K. Bustad and the laboratory’s multi- cial expertise resulted in his being asked to serve on
disciplinary staff. I owe him a great debt of gratitude for numerous advisory committees and as a consultant to
helping shape the foundation for my career. I had a long many companies around the globe. He was an elected
wait for a response letter from ABVT. When it arrived I member of the National Academy of Medicine and a
was not surprised that the letter, obviously written and recipient of many other honors and a professional col-
reviewed by an attorney, noted that I had not completed a league and friend to many individuals.
“formal training” program in veterinary toxicology; the
examination would be very comprehensive and with my
“limited training” I was unlikely to pass the examination. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
However, it went on to note there was no legal basis for
Many of the concepts presented in the chapter are based on my
the ABVT precluding my taking the examination. I
experience working with talented scientists at four institutions: the
accepted the challenge and have never regretted it. On Hanford Biology Laboratory (1957 64) at Richland, Washington;
different occasions some individuals have questioned the Medical Research Branch (1965 66); Division of Biology and
whether I was really a veterinary toxicologist. I have Medicine, of what was then the US Atomic Energy Commission,
always been proud to refer them to my credentials and to Washington, DC; the Lovelace Inhalation Toxicology Research