About Alpha
What is ALPHA?
An international forum for scientists in reproductive medicine
non-profit organization: UK registered charity no. 106281
The Charity's objects are
"to advance the art and science of clinical
embryology for the benefit of the public worldwide, through
international promotion of education, communication, and
collaboration."
Alpha was "conceived" during the summer of 1994, by a group
of scientists who, having witnessed the slow but steady progress of
clinical developments which spread IVF/ART to every corner of the globe -
followed by the more recent dramatic explosion in biotechnology and
molecular biology which now dominate its practice...recognised that the
establishment of clinical embryology with professional status and
standards on an international basis had become imperative.
An international society was proposed which could act as a forum for
communication and interchange of ideas and information between all
scientists, technologists, and technicians working in the field of
reproductive science.alpha was accepted as a Charitable Association in
1997 by the Charities Commission in the UK ,with the following objects:
"The advancement of the art and science of clinical embryology for
the benefit of the public world-wide".
Alpha is registered as UK Charity Number 1062811
Our website offers the latest resources and information for members.
Regular Internet Conferences are held which discuss current issues in
clinical embryology/ART, with publication of edited Proceedings, such as:
- "Blastocyst
culture, transfer, and freezing"
- "The use of testicular and
epididymal sperm in IVF"
- "Problem-solving and troubleshooting
in IVF"
- "Safe Cryopreservation of gametes and embryos"
-
"Blastocyst update", "International legislation and
regulation in IVF"
- "Micromanipulation in assisted
reproduction"
- Worldwide Conferences in Reproductive BiologyPublished
by Ladybrook Publications, Australia.
Long-term Goals
- Publish an International Code of Practice for Clinical Embryology,
which includes accurate record keeping and patient consent forms, in
order to try to define standards of quality and standardise good
clinical practice.
- Suggest regulations for laboratory accreditation: a Working Party is
currently preparing guidelines for IVF practice.
- Organise and promote education/training courses, with certification:
Masters Degree in Clinical Embryology, in conjunction with Danube
University of Krems, Austria (1998), and a distance-learning programme
based at Leeds University from September 2000.Annual workshops and
symposia for scientists in reproductive medicine are regularly held in
conjunction with other major conferences.
- Organise international scientific meetings.
- Publish a newsletter to act as a forum for exchange of ideas, news
and views, and to facilitate international communication and
collaboration between scientists in reproductive medicine world-wide:
alpha’s newsletter is available in English, Spanish, Italian and
Turkish some of the articles are also published in a Japanese language
journal for embryologists. Contributions to the newsletter are always
welcome! Articles, news, case reports, cartoons, photos, puzzles,
debates, comments, questions, suggestions, course/conference
announcements, advertising please send to:
David Cole at Alpha
82A High Street
Sawston, Cambridge, CB22 3HJ, UK
Tel +44 (1223) 830665
Fax +44 (1223) 839804
Membership
Alpha membership is open to anyone who is either working in, or has an
interest in the science of assisted reproduction. We also act as an
"umbrella" for national organisations, in order to promote
international collaboration, with the formation of networks and a forum
for discussion. National organisations may join alpha as a group, with
reduced subscription fee. Members of other national organisations also
qualify for reduced alpha subscription.
Feel free to join Alpha via our online form.
|
