The Study Week organized by the Pontifical Academy of Sciences intended to provide a summary of the extensive research carried out in the field of trace elements, after a discussion among a small circle of specialists. Based on the study of the various inherent issues, the aim was to indicate the most suitable, logical and promising path that this research should follow.
From a naturalistic, chemical, biochemical, pathological and pharmacological point of view, the problem of trace elements is still very mysterious, and a large number of scientists are working on it all over the world. A systematic, in-depth study could produce very significant results. First of all, it could pinpoint crucial issues for human and animal life, especially in relation to the role that these trace elements play in food, hygiene, etc., providing the means to improve living conditions, prevent diseases and treat pathological disorders attributable to a deficiency or imbalance of food microelements. The results of this study should enable to protect and improve the biological life of human communities that often live in artificial settings which are not always conducive to a physiologically healthy life.