Recognizing interventional biology as a specialty on its own
Bourel, P.P.
Annales Pharmaceutiques Francaises 58(5): 321-332
2000
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-4509 PMID: 11060409 Document Number: 525037
Changing therapeutic strategies have led to the development of new techniques where elements of the human body, including cells, tissues or even organs, are removed from the body in order to modify their potential before reintroducing them into the body. The ex vivo manipulations are performed by biologists working in close coordination with clinicians who determine the indications and perform the procurement and reintroduction steps. We propose the term interventional biology for this type of activity and suggest that, beyond the various domains considered including reproduction biology, and cell and gene therapy, it should be recognized as a specific form of practice of medical biology. Recognized as a specialty on its own, this type of activity could be better organized helping improve training, rules of good practice, performance assessment, and establishment of individual responsibilities. This would provide the means for guaranteeing efficacy and safety for a rapidly growing field of activity.