Traditionally, the enormous variety of topics related to ISOTOPES – RADIOACTIVE AND STABLE were presented at meetings and published in scientific journals closely related to the various fields of science that the given research originated from: chemistry (organic, inorganic, analytical); biomedical sciences; medicine; nuclear physics; nuclear technology; and industrial applications, just to mention a few. The Makers and Users of Isotopes had no international forum representing their specific needs to present their achievements and consult directly on what was their common denominator – the preparation and applications of isotopes.
Topics such as – the production of isotopes -radioactive and stable – using cyclotrons, linear accelerators, nuclear reactors; supercentrifuges, etc; the synthesis and applications of isotopically labeled compounds; the analysis and purification of isotopically labeled compounds; the applications of isotopes in various fields of science, of the industry as well as medicine; discovery of new drugs, etc. – were usually found dispersed in programs of meetings of various Societies and were not perceived as having a common denominator – the use of isotopes (radioactive or stable) as an irreplaceable technique.
The first meetings that focused on the use of isotopes were in the biomedical sciences. These meetings known as Advances in Tracers Methodology were organized in the 1950s, mainly on the East Coast USA and jointly by manufacturers of Labeled Compounds (NEN, Amersham, Merck stable isotopes) and of related Nuclear Instruments (Packard Instruments, Nuclear Chicago). Following a hiatus of several years, a new series of similar meetings (the Euratom Symposia) was initiated in the 1960s in Europe under the auspices of EURATOM. The topics of these meeting were quite specific (synthesis; analysis; stability; purification; applications) and their presentation in international scientific forums helped significantly the advancement of isotope techniques pertinent to the biomedical field.
After another hiatus of over ten years, a new series of Symposia emerged in the early 1980s in the United States as the 1982 and 1985 Kansas City International Symposia on the Synthesis, Analysis and Applications of Isotope (radioactive and stable) Labeled Compounds. Following their success and the “popular demand” that these Symposia be perpetuated as an activity of an independent and international organization, the continuity of these important scientific events was assured by the formation of the International Isotope Society (IIS), incorporated in 1986 in the state of New Jersey, USA as a non-profit international organization.
After its incorporation in 1986, IIS has consistently carried out its activities via seven triennial international Symposia – Innsbruck, Austria, 1988; Toronto, Canada, 1991; Strasbourg, France, 1994; Philadelphia, USA, 1997; Dresden, Germany, 2000; Boston, USA, 2003 with the ninth event underway for 2006 in Edinburgh, UK. Numerous and annual meetings of seven local Chapters (two in the US, Canada, Central Europe, China, Romania, and Russia) have also been held.
The IIS has established and proven itself as a useful international institution by successfully carrying out its activities since its first un-official Symposium in Kansas City (1982).
The Journal of Labelled Compounds and Radiopharmaceuticals became the official journal of the Society after 1986 and the Society has reached its financial independence to carry out its activities – mainly Symposia – and has an account of > $ 250,000.
The IIS Newsletter and the IIS Website have also established themselves as a conduit of information among its members. The “valiant” work of its volunteer staff is to be acknowledged.
In its 44 years of existence, the IIS has fully abided by its charter and has proven that it is a truly international organization, and independent from any special interests groups or companies, makers or users of isotopes (radioactive or stable), etc. This principle is considered to have been a key factor in the success of the IIS, in addition to the enthusiastic and unselfish dedicated work of its members.
Finally, after the two Kansas City International Symposia from 1982 and 1985, the organizers of the following IIS Symposia decided to focus the scientific program of their meetings to topic related to the biomedical field, due to the enormity of the entire field. Following this four separate international Symposia dedicated to topics related to the production of isotopes and their applications were organized in Beijing, China, 1995; Sidney, Australia, 1997; Vancouver, Canada, 1999; and Cape Town, South Africa, 2002 as the International Conferences on Isotopes- ICI. These Symposia were organized biannually by a different group (with a fifth one underway for 2005 in Brussels. Currently this group is contemplating independent amalgamation with the IIS as a Division for the production and industrial application of isotopes, thus adding a broader expertise to the International Isotope Society.
