Toxicologist to share knowledge with MPs
UC toxicologist Professor Ian Shaw.
18 June 2012
UC toxicologist Professor Ian Shaw (Chemistry) will be sharing his expertise with Members of Parliament this week as part of the 2012 Speakers Science Forum series.
Professor Shaw will speak at the 20 June event, which will be held in the Grand Hall at Parliament House. The focus of the event is “Pathogen Incursions and PSA”.
Professor Shaw, who is one of two speakers at the evening event, will discuss the chemicals used to treat plant diseases – particularly PSA in kiwifruit – and will focus on their unwanted effects with respect to human health. He will explore the use of streptomycin to kill the PSA bacterium and the impact of its use on antibiotic resistance, and he will look at the implications of pesticides that mimic the female hormone, estrogen on the health and wellbeing of men.
He said health and diet are inextricably linked “and it is well known that some dietary components and contaminants can lead to human disorders following prolonged exposure”.
The series is organised by the Royal Society of New Zealand and was established in 2003 with the aim of showcasing cutting-edge research to MPs and provide information on issues being addressed in Parliament.
For more information please contact:
communications@canterbury.ac.nz