Executive Director's Report July 15, 2007

And then, the wheels came off…

Licking our wounds, we refrained from sending this newsletter on Friday the 13th, although the poetic justice would have been appropriate.

The last few weeks have been exceptionally tough on our collective bioscience industries in Missouri. To be clear, anyone who believes that the life and plant sciences are important pistons in our economic engine should be concerned about where this bus is headed.

For the past two years, MOBIO has pointed to your successes and made the strong case for fueling legislative and public momentum to cement this region as a true, long-term proving ground for scientific advancement to improve human life and the environment.  Yet, threats to our progress have the potential to be profound. Your commitment and action is required immediately and we must work together.

July 07 Scorecard

• The MOHELA plan was emasculated of any life sciences play involving any human health research. This exclusion is clearly unacceptable for the long-term good of our research base, and ignores the excellent core competency of our biomedical researchers spread across our institutions. 
• The expected expansion of the Stowers Institute for Medical Research has been put on hold based on a perceived harsh, anti-science political climate emanating from Jefferson City. 
• Key state board appointments have been made for political reasons rather than with pro-research science advocates.
• Washington University did not make the Department of Energy’s final biofuels selection, although it did announce the I-CARES initiative.
• University of Missouri was eliminated from consideration to host the Department of Homeland Security’s National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility.
• MU’s Vice President for Research and Economic Development John Gardner will leave the Show-Me state for cooler climes at Washington State. Dr. Gardner was an outstanding MOBIO board member who provided critical and consistent leadership to bringing success to this young organization.
• MU’s Provost for Research Jim Coleman heads south to Rice University.
• Gov. Blunt vetoed the 2007 economic development bill that included positive incentives for capital investment in knowledge based economic markets. Uncertainty swirls as to whether the legislature will be able to reach consensus and pass an economic development bill again that includes both of MOBIO's priorities: a strong Missouri Quality Jobs Act and the proven, successful New Markets provisions.

Clearly, one of our wheels has caught the edge of the pavement. The precipice is rocky and the bottom looks like it would hurt. It’s time to deliver a unified and unrelenting call to policy influencers and decision makers to support Missouri’s biotechnology sector. Now.

Advancing our cause
I urge the MOBIO membership to convert our discontent into fuel, which will drive a caravan of activity designed to educate the people plotting our state’s future about the benefits of our industry. 

To successfully influence this population, we must connect the dots and demonstrate how Missouri’s biotechnology base benefits all Missourians. We can assume nothing and must understand that memories are short.

Where to start?  First, we will launch the BIO Benchmarking program, a leadership-style legislative education tour. We will start with a convening forum, then BIO Benchmarking will take legislators on a multi-city tour of Missouri's bioscience assets.  Our objective is to initiate and deepen relationships with our state’s policymakers, corporate and research leaders.   Watch the MOBIO Events webpage for announcements on the upcoming planning meetings and your opportunity for member involvement.

In October, we will take select legislators to a more mature biotech marketplace, Boston, to demonstrate how a pro-science climate drives economic opportunity and security amid today’s highly competitive global marketplace. 

We will conclude the tour at our December annual summit with a legislators’ panel, reviewing their experiences and insights. Together, we will map out a longer-term strategy for the benefit of the state.

Second. In the next two weeks you will receive a solicitation to contribute to MOBIO PAC.  Every engine needs fuel and spark; every legislative program needs a strong public policy initiative backed by a powerful demonstration of civic and community support.  The PAC is an absolutely critical element in implementing MOBIO’s comprehensive governmental affairs program.  I am filing the necessary paperwork, opening the PAC account with my own personal contribution to get us started.  Your support is imperative if we are to drive change with Missouri’s legislative leaders.

Third, MOBIO will spearhead a Planning and Strategic Action initiative with meetings this summer and fall to engage our members and supporters in a more active dialogue leading up to the annual summit and for setting the 2008 legislative agenda. Check the MOBIO events page for dates and detailed information. These meetings will start this month.   Again, your involvement is critical and greatly appreciated.
 
Last, the opponents of Amendment 2 have asked for a mulligan and we need to prepare to defeat their attempts to undo the successful passage of that important constitutional protection of research.  Please take a moment and volunteer to become a member of the Missouri Coalition for Lifesaving Cures. Our fight in the arena of public opinion and public policy is not over, as evidenced by the recent Stowers’ announcement and escalating rumblings among Missouri politicos that a petition to strike the 2006 Amendment 2 vote is imminent.  Our opponents on this matter have all the vested interests in keeping the political battleground stirred up.

It’s up to us
As I noted in my St. Louis Post-Dispatch letter to the editor last month, we’ve come too far and invested too much to let our opponents “win” their fight to sacrifice the agricultural, health and economic benefits that biotechnology has and will continue to deliver to Missourians.   

If we are ever going to stabilize our political climate, we must activate a new line of leaders who will stand up for science and medical research. We thank you for your past commitment.  We need your continued involvement. 

As Dante's Inferno reminds us, "The hottest places in Hell are reserved for those who in time of moral crisis preserve their neutrality."  Let's get to work.

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