The 2002 World Congress of the Transplantation Society, scheduled to be held in Buenos Aires from Aug. 25 to 31, has been shifted to Miami as a result of concern over the situation in Argentina.

"It has by now become clear that the political and financial instability in Argentina would severely have discouraged participation in the Buenos Aires Congress," Transplantation Society leaders said in a statement announcing the move.

The conference will now be held in the newly renovated Diplomat Resort and Conference Center located in Hollywood, Florida. For those flying to the Congress from within the United States, the hotel is much closer to the Fort Lauderdale Airport.

Dr Camillo Ricordi of the University of Miami will now serve as Co-Chairman of the Congress in partnership with Dr D. Casadei of Buenos Aires.

Organizers said that because of the shift of venue, the deadline for abstracts and for early registration for the Congress has been postponed from January 20 to February 20, 2002.