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Maryland
Coalition for Ethical Research
P. O. Box 1743
Annapolis, MD 21401
Dear Prospective Member of the Maryland Coalition for Ethical
Research:
I write to invite you to consider joining an organization of medical
and scientific professionals who are willing to give witness to
their belief that research in Maryland should be conducted under
a strict code of ethics.
Last year, Delegate Samuel Rosenberg and Senator Paula Hollinger
sponsored legislation requesting $25 million of state funds to
pay for human cloning and embryonic stem cell research. Poll data
continue to show that the majority of Marylanders are opposed
to human cloning and the destruction of human embryos for use
in science experiments. The people of Maryland do not think that
life should be destroyed in the interest of research.
Recent data published in peer-reviewed journals shows that stem
cells obtained from adults and from umbilical cords may possibly
be as versatile as stem cells obtained from the dissection of
human embryos. In fact, when considering which stem cells have
demonstrated their medical effectiveness, only non-embryonic stem
cells have so far been shown to have therapeutic value. Non-embryonic
stem cells, from adult tissue, umbilical cords, umbilical cord
blood, and placentas, have been used to treat at least 65 conditions
to date. After 25+ years of research, embryonic stem cells have
not produced a single cure. While scientifically fascinating,
so far embryonic stem cells have not been shown to be medically
useful.
We're all in favor of medical and scientific research, but we
need to insist that research is done in an ethical fashion. It's
not about choosing between research and ethics, it's about choosing
ethical research. And in the case of stem cell research, it's
about putting scarce research dollars into research that is most
likely to produce cures, such as multi-group trials of the use
of adult stem cells to treat a variety of disorders.
The enclosed flyer should answer some questions about the Maryland
Coalition for Ethical Research (MCER). We are medical and scientific
professionals who believe that research should be conducted in
ways that respect the life, dignity and rights of every human
being at all developmental stages of life. We have come together
in coalition to ensure that our voices are heard when the Maryland
General Assembly debates issues such as human cloning and embryonic
stem cell research. As a member, you may be called upon to respond
to articles and opinion pieces published in state-wide and local
newspapers, to be interviewed by the media for your professional
views, to contact members of the legislature to help inform them
of the scientific, medical and ethical truths about research issues,
and perhaps to give expert testimony at bill hearings in Annapolis.
I hope you will consider joining the many other professionals
who are willing to take a stand for ethical research.
Sincerely,
Lyle L. Sensenbrenner, M.D.
Interim Executive Director
Maryland Coalition for Ethical Research
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Maryland
Coalition for Ethical Research
MCER
Striving
for Excellence in Medical Research while Protecting
the Rights of Human Beings
MCER is …
- a
statewide advocate for biomedical research that promotes the life,
dignity, and rights of every human being at each developmental stage.
MCER
also is …
-
pro-research.
We love research, including stem-cell research! We strongly support
the majority of stem-cell research that uses adult and umbilical cord
cells and does not harm human life. We oppose only the small percentage
of stem-cell research that destroys human life at the embryonic stage.
MCER
seeks to …
-
inform Marylanders
about the science of biomedical research;
- foster
discussion
about the ethics and cultural impact of biomedical research; and
- encourage
research
in Maryland that upholds the dignity of every human life.
We want
biomedical research to thrive in Maryland, and Maryland to thrive from
research done here. In addition to improving lives through discovery
of new treatments, research can be a powerful means of economic development.
However,
biomedical research is subject to the principle that governs the entire
medical profession: Do no harm.
We want
Maryland to be known for attracting top researchers committed to advancing
science while protecting human life at all stages of development. We
don't want to be known for advancing science at any cost for the sake
of attracting research dollars.
**********
Maryland Coalition for Ethical Research (MCER)
Striving
for Excellence in Medical Research while Protecting
the Rights of Human Beings
MYTH:
Rejecting a type of research restricts the freedom needed for healthy
scientific inquiry and weakens Maryland's strong position in the biomedical
research industry.
REALITY:
Evaluating a type of research and then choosing not to participate IS
exercising freedom in scientific inquiry. Maryland will strengthen its
position in biomedical research by focusing on areas that show the most
promise and pose no ethical problems.
MYTH:
MCER is a religious group.
REALITY:
MCER relies on medical science for its positions. For instance, MCER
views the embryo as a human being because the science of embryology
teaches that human life begins at fertilization.
MYTH:
MCER is part of the pro-life lobby.
REALITY:
MCER is not affiliated with pro-life advocacy groups. MCER does not
endorse political candidates. It takes positions on issues, but the
goal is to inform rather than confront.
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You
Can Make a Difference!
Help
MCER accomplish its goals. Become a member of MCER at no charge
and receive regular updates. Membership is limited to professionals
in the fields of medicine, science, and ethics who are residents
of Maryland.
Name:
________________________________________________________
Address: ______________________________________________________
City/State: _____________________________________________________
Zip Code: _____________________________________________________
Phone: ________________________________________________________
E-Mail: _______________________________________________________
Please mail to:
The Maryland Coalition for Ethical Research
P.O. Box 1743
Annapolis, MD 21401
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