News briefs
Allison destroys medical research
The Texas Medical Center, the world’s largest medical center with a complex of 13 hospitals and two medical schools, suffered severe damage from tropical storm Allison in June when it flooded Houston and south Texas.
The medical center, known for its cancer and heart disease research, lost scientific data and an estimated 32,500 laboratory animals drowned. Most of the animals were rats and mice used in research at the Baylor College of Medicine, says Dorey Zodrow, a spokeswoman for the facility.
The loss of scientific records and lab specimens could put a dent in international medical research and set back medical research for years, notes Ralph Feigin, MD, president of Baylor College of Medicine. "As much as two and three years of someone’s entire research career and the result of their work as it benefits mankind has been literally wiped out," adds Feigin.
The damage could prevent some drugs that were being tested from getting further along in clinical trials.
Coalition formed to support stem cell research
Research using embryonic stem cells will continue under current federal guidelines and with federal funding if a new organization has its way. The Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research was formed in March to support existing federal guidelines regarding embryonic stem cells and to foster research using the stem cells. The coalition is composed of universities, scientific societies, and voluntary health organizations.
Founding members of the coalition include:
- American Society for Cell Biology, Bethesda, MD;
- Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International, New York City;
- Parkinson’s Action Network, Alexandria, VA;
- Harvard University, Cambridge, MA;
- University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee;
- Washington University, St. Louis;
- Association of American Medical Colleges in Washington, DC;
- Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation, Springfield, NJ.
The coalition’s principal goal is to ensure that current federal policy regarding funding for stem cell research is retained. The group also will lobby Congress and the Bush administration that a majority of Americans support federal funding for stem cell research. A national public opinion poll conducted in January found that 65% of Americans support the research.
Children’s hospital gets donation
A $38 million donation to the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles will be used for clinical research, officials with hospital announced in early May. The donation is believed to be the single largest estate gift ever made to a children’s hospital. The hospital will establish the McAlister Clinical Research Program, named after the benefactors Fern and Harold McAlister.
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