Program Highlighted | Toxicology
Interview with | Marsha Haynes
Date | January 2001

Introduction |

Toxicology deals with the harmful biological effects of exogenous and endogenous chemicals, and the means to prevent or ameliorate such effects. The toxic effects may be discomfort, disease, or death of humans or beasts; they may be disturbances in the growth pattern of plants; or they may be disruptions of whole ecosystems. The exogenous chemicals may be drugs, compounds synthesized by humans, or agents originating in nature. Thus Toxicology is an old, broadly based, and integrative discipline. However, much of the recently expanding interest in Toxicology is due to problems which are byproducts of the use of modern chemicals in our industrialized society. Toxicologists work mainly in industry and governments, but also at universities. Their tasks range from testing particular chemicals to measuring their presence, assessing risks by interpreting data, or studying mechanisms of toxicity. There are many subspecialties, such as Clinical, Forensic, Legal, Industrial, and Environmental Toxicology, offering opportunities for specialized employment. In the University of Toronto, the undergraduate program in Toxicology is offered in the Faculty of Arts & Science by the Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine.

.

Interview | Marsha Haynes

Marsha is a fourth year, Innis College Toxicology student. For the complete interview click here.

For furher information about the program in University of Toronto and beyond, click here.