One of many highlights of each ECTS congress are without doubt the basic and clinical debates . The ECTS-ASBMR clinical debate has a long tradition: since many years at each ASBMR and ECTS congress a clinical debate on a current topic is held. For the Innsbruck congress, the topic “This house believes that DXA measurements should be a mandatory part of the management of individuals with type 2 diabetes” was chosen for the ECTS-ASBMR debate. Bente Langdahl, nominated by ECTS, will argue for the motion. Nicola Napoli, nominated by ASBMR, will argue against the motion. The format of the debate is as follows: at the start of the session, the audience will vote for or against the motion. This initial vote is followed by the presentations of the two debaters. The presentations are followed by comments and questions from the audience. Next, the debaters will have the opportunity for a rebuttal. The final act of the debate is a second vote by the audience. The winner is the one who convinces more participants of her/his point of view than in the initial vote.
At the ECTS congress in addition to the clinical debate also a basic debate is held. This year the basic topic is: “This house believes that osteoclasts have two different resorption modes”. Kent Soe will argue for the motion; Anna Teti will argue against the motion. The format corresponds to that described above.
Each year the debates are very well attended. Participants find the debates both educational and entertaining.
I hope to see you all at this exciting part of the ECTS congress 2025!
Peter Pietschmann
ECTS President
Basic Science debate at ECTS 2024 in Marseille (from left to right: Danielle Whittier, Natalie Sims, Ralph Müller, Philippe Zysset).