How the world’s toxins effect our health
Experts from medicine and science came together at the University of Southampton to explore how different types of toxins impact on people from the very earliest points of development and across the life course.
In a ‘Question Time’ panel event, the experts were put on the spot with questions from the public audience, many of which came from state–sector colleges from across Hampshire.
They were challenged on issues relating to air pollution, oceans, the role of social media and how our diet effects the environment.
Many of the students visited the Institute of Developmental Sciences labs in October for a day of hands-on lab activities, meeting scientists. It is a great opportunity for young people to get access to the University and might just encourage some that a career in science and medicine might be for them. Overall around 100 students were involved.
The panel was chaired by Dr Lucy Green, Associate Professor in Developmental Physiology at the University of Southampton, and included:
Professor Mary Barker – Professor of Psychology and Behavioural Science
Professor Graham Roberts – Consultant, Paediatric Allergy and Respiratory Medicine
Dr Simon Boxall - Oceanographer
Shante Jackson – Southampton Member of Youth Parliament
Professor Alan Boobis - Toxicologist
Dr Debbie Chase - Consultant in Public Health at Southampton City Council
Dr Green said: It was a fantastic event with some great comments and questions from the audience that resulted in a no-nonsense discussion around big toxic issues, how they impact on our bodies starting when we were conceived, who is responsible for action and what this action might be.
Having 17-year-old Shanté Jackson as a panellist was a particular highlight this year – someone who is the same age as many of the audience and who is actively involved in campaigning for social change in Southampton, was really important for the debate.
The subject of TOXIC! Is highly topical and draws on several core strengths at University of Southampton from the Institute of Developmental Sciences research into Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD), nutrition and stem cell biology, to the nutrition work at the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, to work at MRC Lifecourse epidemiology Unit, and to ecology and plant / food security.
The event was also captured by cartoonist Drawnalism, who was able to showcase the questions asked during the event in eye catching images. See photo gallery.
