May 5, 2005
ELMS Coalition Contacts:
Chris Brown
ASGSB/ELMS Coalition
cbrown@nscu.edu
Phone: 919 513 2457
Kathleen M. Connell
AIAA Life Sciences Technical Committee/ELMS Coalition
kconnell@eqsphere.com
Phone: 954 561 5610
Note to Editors and Reporters: Please forward to the appropriate person
in your organization. Thank you.
EXPLORATION LIFE AND MEDICAL SCIENCES (ELMS) COALITION
COMES TO LIFE:
SUPPORTS SPACE BIOLOGY ON THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE
STATION
NASA's bold exploration efforts have created both opportunities and
challenges for space biologists in the United States and abroad. As a
result, the Exploration Life and Medical Sciences (ELMS) Coalition has
been formed to actively engage the scientific community in the public
policy process.
The ELMS Coalition is broadly inclusive: its founding organizations are
composed of life science organizations representing scientists from the
US and other countries, space entrepreneurs and other supporters. The
combined grassroots membership of the coalition numbers over 10,000.
According to Dr. Chris Brown, President of the American Society for
Gravitational and Space Biology, "the Vision for Space Exploration is
exciting and it is exactly what NASA should be doing. However, we must
make sure that the agency supports the basic biological research that is
foundational to its long-term success and sustainability."
The ELMS Coalition's central focus for 2005 is to assure the realization of
the national vision to complete and utilize the International Space Station
(ISS) for space biology research.
Dr. Russell Rayman, M.D., Director of the Aerospace Medical Association
notes that, "if we are to ensure the safety of our astronauts on long
duration missions, it is essential that we have effective countermeasures
as well as an autonomous system of in-flight medical care. These will
require an aggressive and well-funded research program."
In addition, ELMS supports a return on the taxpayer investment in ISS, via
medical benefits for the public. According to Kathleen Connell, incoming
Chair of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Life
Sciences Technical Committee, "the biotechnology revolution can now be
taken into space, and may provide new insights into medical issues
confronting the earth's population. We have a national opportunity to
return new knowledge that may help solve terrestrial challenges. The
completion of the Centrifuge Accommodation Module (CAM) will provide a
facility that the research community and biotech industry can utilize to
generate new insights into human health from space."
Leading systems experts, concerned with the need for space exploration
sustainability, have also joined the ELMS coalition. Dr. Roger Hangarter,
President, American Society of Plant Biologists, emphasizes that, "it is
critical for us to maintain a lead in biology research since it yields many of
the scientific discoveries that are essential to the core of our economic
growth and for enhancing Americans' quality of life. Moreover, long-term
human missions in space cannot afford to proceed without understanding
the impact of the space environment on the biology of astronauts and
the plants needed to sustain them."
ELMS founding members recognize the importance of creative
entrepreneurship, which helps drive mission-enabling space biology
research and technology. According to Tom Crabb, Co-Founder of
ORBITEC, "small business technology development and innovation has
been a flagship in providing necessary capabilities in space and for the
International Space Station, particularly in the safe and controlled
management of biological specimens and controlled environment systems.
NASA's small business commercialization activities from the Small
Business Innovative Research program provide unique biological test
capabilities. This technology is pivotal to investigating and resolving
human health issues for the Vision for Exploration."
ELMS supporters are not only finding their voice in Washington and in the
states, but are also listening carefully to Congress and NASA.
Leaders in Congress have become watchful of science on the space
station. At a recent hearing of the Senate Commerce and Space Sub-
Committee, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson (R-TX) and Senator Bill Nelson
(D-FL) both made it clear that maintaining scientific research on the
station should be a priority. Senator Hutchinson also proposed turning ISS
into a National Laboratory. Others in the Senate have also expressed their
interest in maintaining ISS as a space biology research platform. Senator
Diane Feinstein (D-CA) offers this view: "Many fundamental questions
remain concerning the human health and physiological impacts of longterm
space travel. The ISS is an invaluable tool in facilitating this nation's
lead in space life sciences research, and provides the actual space
environment to perform the necessary research and testing to further our
understanding of human needs and technology requirements to support
human space exploration."
ELMS is also committed to the retention of current space biologists and
the training of the next generation. ELMS argues that this is a key to
keeping America competitive in space.
Keeping the US international space partnerships in place is also on the
ELMS Agenda. Recently, JAXA, the Japanese Space Agency, expressed
strong concerns about the displacement of the centrifuge and other
biological research facilities on ISS, mirroring concerns of US researchers.
ELMS looks forward to opening a fresh dialog with the new NASA
Administrator, Mike Griffin, about the essential role of space biology in
the Exploration quest. In Chris Brown's view, "it's great to have a scientist
like Mike Griffin leading NASA at such a critical time. He will understand
that basic, exploratory research is critical in a bold mission as putting
humans onto the surface of Mars. He will also understand that we can
not afford a hiatus in support for space biology research, if we are to
meet the aggressive timelines of the Vision. We are eager to work with
him in defining the role of space biology within NASA."
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