Preparing for the twenty-first century.

The pivotal technology for hazard identification following repeated exposure to xenobiotics continues to be pathology-specifically histopathology. Toxicologic pathologists are solidly positioned as leaders in the safety assessment process. Because of the rapid advances in molecular biology, we can now anticipate that within the coming 10-20 years, routine hematoxylin and eosin histopathologic assessments will not be enough. Our challenge and our opportunity to dramatically improve predictability while simultaneously decreasing animal sacrifice are at hand. The response of the Society of Toxicologic Pathologists to this challenge will dramatically influence the opportunities for new generations of toxicologic pathologists in the twenty-first century.