Hi! There was some e-mail on the Gustafson Lake incident on one of my other mailing lists last week I think. They suggested people who were interested in some background and the native point of view check out URL - http://www.IslandNet.com:80/~jwight/enviro/Sundancefrm.html. I haven't had time to look at the website so I don't know for sure if it will be helpful, but I hope so!! Lisa >From [EMAIL PROTECTED] Mon Sep 18 15:02:49 1995 id <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; Tue, 19 Sep 1995 08:56:41 +1200 ; 19 Sep 95 08:57:48 +1200 Date: Tue, 19 Sep 1995 08:57:39 +1200 From: "STEFANIE S. RIXECKER" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Medical Professionals needed to Support Endangered Species /fwd To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Organization: Lincoln University Here's a message for our US readers (in terms of participation). Please note the contact address at the end of the message. Do not reply to me. Thanks! [EMAIL PROTECTED] ------- Forwarded Message Follows ------- September 15, 1995 Dear medical professionals and health care advocates, We are in the midst of a great national debate over whether to continue the commitment of the Endangered Species Act to protect the world's plants and animals. What is often lost in this debate is the fact that species conservation is important to human health. For example, more than one-third of the prescribed drugs in the United States are derived from plants and other natural products. Yet, only five percent of plant species have been studied with any thoroughness to assess their medicinal value. My work as a pediatrician has given me first hand experience with the wonders of nature's pharmacy. I have witnessed children diagnosed with fatal diseases grow healthy thanks to medicines that have been derived from the wild. Three years ago, one of my patients, a young girl named Jackie Buckley was diagnosed with leukemia. Jackie is now six years old and is in remission thanks in part to Vincristine, a drug that was originally derived from the rosy periwinkle plant in Madagascar. My experience has led me to become involved in an effort to help defend the Endangered Species Act. The ESA is the best tool we have to protect species of imperiled plants and animals The Act is also a model for international conservation efforts. Unfortunately, the Endangered Species Act is now itself in danger. Some members of Congress would weaken the Act in a way that would eliminate many of the most important protections for species that could provide tomorrow's most important medicines. Please join with me in an effort to communicate to the Congress and the American public the importance of protecting species to human health and the value of a strong Endangered Species Act. Please indicate your willingness to sign your name and/or the name of your medical practice or medical association on to the enclosed letter to Congress. Additionally, please note whether you are interested in speaking on the importance of the medicinal value of plants and at one of several press events scheduled throughout the country this fall. Your participation is greatly appreciated. Sincerely, Kevin Browngoehl, M.D. Drexel Hill Pediatric Associates Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Petition from medical professionals and health advocacy organizations to Congress We are writing to urge you to support a strong Endangered Species Act. What is often lost in the debate over species conservation is the value of species to human health. For example, more than one-third of the prescribed drugs in the United States are derived from plants and other natural products. The medicines of tomorrow are being discovered today from nature, both abroad and here in our own country. The Endangered Species Act is the best tool our nation has to protect species of imperiled plants and animals. The Act is recognized world wide for its effectiveness in conserving biological diversity. We ask your support for protecting our current and future sources of medicinal products. The Endangered Species Act protects all of us. Sincerely, (To date, nearly 800 medical professionals, and 100 local, regional, and national medical associations and health advocacy groups have signed on to the petition.) Please indicate if you would be willing to add your name to this petition. Reply by e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please indicate your name, title (M.D., etc.), address (at least city and state), phone and e-mail address. Also, indicate the name of your practice or organization if we can add it to the petition. Also, indicate if you would be willing to attend or speak at a local media event on the medicinal value of species. Thanks for your support!
