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Services THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE _______________________________________ Dear Colleagues and Friends, 
I was milling through some old files as part of clean-up before an office painting project and came across the original letter of announcement for forming the Michigan Society for Medical Research. Here are the words of Dr. Bennett Cohen, first President of MISMR: "[This announcement] is the initial step in bringing the Michigan Society for Medical Research (MISMR) to life. MISMR is being organized because animal research is under severe threat within Michigan and nationally. We simply must do what we can to foster better public understanding of biomedical research generally and of animal research in particular. Ultimately, public support of biomedical research depends upon public understanding of its methods and accomplishments. MISMR's task is to generate the public understanding that can lead to better public support of research. This, in turn, can lead to a more favorable legislative climate for science within Michigan and nationally. I urge you to join MISMR and to encourage your colleagues and students to join as well. A united effort by the Michigan scientific community can make a difference." Nineteen years later, Ben's words still ring true. The "severe threat" ranges from violent attacks on property and malicious intimidation of individuals through legislative efforts on a national level. The intentions of animal activists have not changed. They employ the tactics necessary to achieve their end‹elimination of the use of animals in research. Whether it is increasing the "bookkeeping" costs needed for USDA regulation of rats and mice, or intimidating investors in companies who use animals in testing and research, the activists are willing and able to do whatever is necessary to achieve their end. MISMR has over the past 19 years faithfully met the challenge. As an organization we have been the State's primary source of information on the value of and need for biomedical research. Through our publications, essay contest, and presentations we have reached many of the citizens of Michigan. We have also made our services available to government officials, so that they might learn the facts of why animal research should be supported and protected here in Michigan. We have conveyed the magnitude of the research effort here in Michigan and have developed information links with a number of congressional persons. The biomedical research community has a great challenge ahead of it—very much the same as 19 years ago. To address that challenge we at MISMR have an ambitious agenda for the coming year. As Ben did originally and every MISMR President since, I urge you to help meet this challenge by joining MISMR. "We simply must do what we can to foster better public understanding of biomedical research…"
Gary L. Hofing, D.V.M., Ph.D.
2000 MISMR Board of Directors
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MISMR members strongly support humane animal study in research. We hope that likeminded citizens will join us in working for rational public policy that assures the continued appropriate use of animals in the course of good science. |