| The meeting of the Latin American Genetics Association (ALAG), which will be held in the beautiful city of Vi a del Mar, Chile, 1-5 October 2010, is a new opportunity to accomplish the goals of integration, brotherhood and intellectual exchange that our founders visualized. The congress will take place amid a convergence of several important events. In 2009, the world celebrated the Darwin bicentennial, whilst November marks 150 years since the publication of Darwin s seminal book on The Origin of Species. The conceptual framework of Darwinism has influenced the genetics at every organizational level, from medicine to biotechnological applications, from genes to ecosystems, but also beyond biology as in the social sciences, reaffirming its universal validity. The year 2010 is also the year of biodiversity and hence the congress motto is: Latin American biodiversity: its people and genetic resources . At the same time, Chile celebrates 200 years of independence and so our visitors will feel a joyful atmosphere, and Vi a del Mar is the perfect, tranquil place to enjoy both the meetings and beautiful surroundings. |
| The ALAG congress is jointly held with the meetings of the Argentinean Society of Genetics (SAG), the Latin American Association of Mutagenesis, Carcinogenesis and Environmental Teratogenesis (ALAMCTA), and the Genetics Society of Chile (SOCHIGEN), with the challenge of preserving genetic diversity from the gene to the ecosystem, while at the same time highlighting the impact of genetics at different levels of our society. The contributions of numerous people and committees, the CMC Professional Organizers and the valuable contributions of our sponsors are gratefully acknowledged. Last but not least, my colleagues of the Executive Committee, Drs. Patricia P rez, Claudio Mart nez, Enrique Zamorano, and Cristian Araneda have contributed significantly to make this congress a bicentennial event to be remembered. |
| See you all in Vi a del Mar 2010! |
| Gonzalo Gajardo President ALAG Osorno, Chile |
