“Transgenic Research and the Ethical Implications” was the timely topic of the 17th Annual Meeting and Educational Symposium of the Michigan Society for Medical Research. Attendees from across the state as well as the country filled the Gordon Scott Hall Auditorium at Wayne State University on June 3rd, 1999. Through cosponsorship with The Detroit Physiological Society and Wayne State University we were very fortunate to have Keith H.S. Campbell as keynote speaker. Dr. Campbell was formerly a scientist at the Roslin Institute where he conducted research leading to the first mammal cloned from a single adult cell, the infamous Scottish sheep “Dolly”.

“We start life as a single cell, which then specializes into different cells for organs and systems. During development it gets instructions on what kind of cell to become,” said Campbell. He and his colleagues proved you can alter those instructions and radically change the outcome of the cell, the proof being Dolly. Campbell is now at PPL Therapeutics where he is head of Embryology. He hopes to show the many benefits and applications of transgenic technology including the production of human proteins in mammals, use of animal organs for transplant in humans, and to produce models to study development, aging, diseases, and genetic preservation.

Complementing Dr. Campbell’s talk was the second presentation of the day by Sally A. Camper. We were honored to have one of the most accomplished mammalian geneticists of her generation. She is a Professor in the Medical School at the University of Michigan in the Department of Human Genetics and has organized and directs the nationally recognized Transgenic Animal Core Facility.

Dr. Camper spoke of her work using a combination of gene mapping techniques, molecular biology, and transgenic mouse technology. The facility she directs has generated more than one thousand lines of transgenic mice, including the University’s first “knock-out” mice, mice that lack expression of specific targeted genes. This technology has contributed greatly to research on the biological effects of loss of glycosylating enzymes, clotting factors, and hormone subunits.

Sally A. Camper

“ The amazing thing about cloning is that you don’ t even need a sheep to make a sheep.” — Keith H.S. Campbell

Bennett J. Cohen Educational Leadership Award

In a special presentation at the State Capitol in Lansing, MISMR awarded Senator John J.H. Schwarz, M.D., President Pro Tempore of the Michigan Senate, the Bennett J. Cohen Award. We honored the Senator’s continued advocacy for the growth and success of medical research. The Senator promotes biomedical research as a growth industry in this state that will generate high-tech jobs and economical development investment — announcing as a priority the Life Sciences Corridor proposal — as well as for the positive contribution towards improving the health of the citizens of Michigan.

Awarding Advocacy

Presenting Award to Senator Schwarz (right) April 28, 1999 — State Capitol

MISMR Board Achievement Awards

Two long standing board members retired this year: Robert P. Pittman, Ph.D. who recently served as president, and Christine S. F. Williams, B.V.Sc., M.R.C.V. Both received awards for their outstanding service and contributions towards promoting the goals of MISMR.

Christine S.F. Williams receives award from fellow Board Achievement awardee Robert P. Pittman

Science Education Award

We honored Ms. Juliann E. Lyon this year to show our appreciation for her dedication in promoting science through the MISMR Annual Essay Contest. While an English teacher at South Lyon Middle School her students entered the contest for the past six years and several were named winners.

Juliann E. Lyon shown (second from right) with past essay contest winners

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