By Nicole Chavez
The Teratology Society, an international professional group of scientists hailed as the premier source for cutting-edge research and authoritative information related to birth defects and developmentally-mediated disorders, has launched digital efforts in order to further communicate the importance of birth defects research to stakeholders, legislative leaders and like-minded scientists, especially during January’s Birth Defects Prevention Month.
The Teratology Society is made up of nearly 700 members worldwide specializing in a variety of disciplines, including developmental biology and toxicology, reproduction and endocrinology, epidemiology, cell and molecular biology, nutritional biochemistry, and genetics as well as the clinical disciplines of prenatal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics, neonatology, medical genetics, and teratogen risk counseling.
Led by key members of the society’s Communications Working Group, one example of the group’s effort to better communicate with the public is through a recent digital press release highlighting a special collection of groundbreaking studies related to the microbiome. The special issue of Birth Defects Research Part C: Embryo Today, the society’s professional journal, focuses on the microbiome and the role that the transfer and maintenance of normal microbiota in pregnant mothers and fetuses plays in preventing immunological, metabolic, and neurological birth defects. TIME Magazine ran the story, “Babies in the Womb Aren’t So Sterile After All,” as a result of the press release.
“We feel that the important contributions of scientists often slip under the radar and we want to change that,” said Tacey White, PhD, Teratology Society president. “From social media to traditional media, we hope more scientists connect with each other in order to make it clear how important it is for our nation to continue to support research initiatives.”
The Teratology Society has also recently launched Twitter, Facebook and Linkedin accounts in order to connect with more societies and, in turn, support the messages these important societies, like ACT, are also putting out through their networks. “We are stronger in greater numbers and this is an easy and fun way to band together in the name of science,” White added.
Another article of interest the Society has generated in response to issues arising in the field of teratology involves the rise of electronic cigarette use in pregnancy. The issue is the topic of Teratology’s new blog effort titled, Birth Defects Insights. The blog is geared toward the scientific community and primarily published through Linkedin, as well as Teratology.org. Sister societies and other partners are also encouraged to post to this blog and to distribute the blog to interested parties. Please contact the Society’s Executive Director, Heather Carskaddan, for more details.