The Campaign for Responsible Transplantation

Virtual Office:
Tel/Fax: (212) 579-3477
E-mail: banxeno@yahoo.com

Who is CRT?

The Campaign for Responsible Transplantation (CRT), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, was launched on January 20, 1998 out of concern over the irresponsible rush to commercialize animal-to-human organ, cell and tissue transplantation (xenotransplantation) using genetically modified pigs, and nonhuman primates. CRT believes that xenotransplantation poses a grave danger to human health because of the risk of transferring deadly animal viruses to the human population. Xenotransplantation would burden our society with numerous health, environmental, economic, ethical, and legal problems, and would cause tremendous human and nonhuman suffering. There are safer and more cost-effective ways to resolve the alleged shortage of human organs for transplantation that are not being adequately explored. CRT is, therefore, seeking a total ban on xenotransplantation. CRT's international coalition includes more than 90 public interest groups, representing millions of people concerned about the misuse of genetic engineering technology. CRT is supported by eminent physicians, scientists, veterinarians, scholars, lawyers and concerned laypersons. Membership is open to all and participation is encouraged.

Some of CRT's member organizations include:
Americans for Safe Food (US)
Committee for Children (US)
Doctors for the Environment (Switzerland)
Doctors and Lawyers for Responsible Medicine (UK)
E: The Environmental Magazine (US)
Earth Island Institute (US)
Farming and Livestock Concern (UK)
Greenpeace (Switzerland)
Idaho Sporting Congress (US)
International Center for Technology Assessment (US)
The Jane Goodall Institute (US)
The Loka Institute (US)
Medical Research Modernization Committee (US)
Mothers for Natural Law (US)
Native Forest Council (US)
Natural Health Society of Australia
New Mexico Center for Chronic Disorders (US)
No Gen (Holland)
Notre Dame de Toute Pitie (France)
Organic Consumers Association (US)
Peoples Medical Society (US)
Physicians & Scientists for Responsible Genetics (New Zealand)
Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (US)
Protect Our Earth's Treasures (US)
and numerous animal protection organizations

What is CRT Doing?

• On November 27, 2000, CRT retained the Washington, DC public interest law firm of Meyer & Glitzenstein, and filed a historic lawsuit against the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The lawsuit sought all FDA-generated records related to side-effects, including infections, and deaths in human xenotransplantation trials. (See "lawsuit" link). The FDA, along with 6 biotechnology companies, spent several years fighting the release of documents to CRT. Nevertheless, the Court compelled the FDA to release thousands of pages of documents to CRT. CRT is the only organization in the US to have sued a government agency to obtain information about the risks of xenotransplantation.

• On December 10, 1998, CRT filed a legal petition with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) demanding a ban on xenotransplantation. The petition was signed by 55 scientists, physicians, veterinarians and concerned laypersons. On December 7, 2000, HHS formally denied the petition. CRT is now considering legal action and has established the CRT Legal Fund to that end.

• CRT has collected thousands of signatures on a non-legal petition supporting a ban on xenotransplantation. It has presented an initial group of signatures to HHS.

• CRT is distributing resource materials to journalists, scholars, scientists, legislators, advocacy groups, students, laypersons, and members of the press.

• CRT is networking with various constituencies to broaden its support base.

• CRT issues press releases to keep the xenotransplantation issue alive in the media.

• CRT's website, www.crt-online.org, provides information on xenotransplantation, and will provide ways for the public to voice its concerns about the technology.

• CRT spokespersons grant radio interviews, speak to audiences, and submit Op-Eds and letters to the editor. These have appeared in The Houston Chronicle, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Chronicle of Higher Education, and Biography magazine, among others.

• CRT monitors scientific journals, newspapers, government databases, and the Internet, and attends public meetings on xenotransplantation, to track the development, financing, and regulation of the technology.

• Sign CRT's on-line petition against xenotransplantation at www.crt-online.org, or print out or request hard copies for circulation in your community

• Help CRT's coalition grow. If you are the Director of a for-profit business or non-profit organization, a celebrity, or a religious leader, please sign the on-line signatory form, or request one via mail

• Participate in CRT Action Alerts on this website or ask to be added to our mailing list

• Send us any news clips about xenotransplantation from your local paper

• Write a letter to the editor

• If you own a business, consider donating pro-bono services to CRT. Xeroxing, design, printing and legal services are always welcome

• Call your local radio or TV station, and encourage them to do a story on xenotransplantation. Suggest CRT as a resource

• Consider sponsoring a print ad in your local newspaper. Contact CRT for details

• Hold a fundraiser in your community for CRT and/or the CRT Legal Fund

• Medical and health care professionals who would like to support CRT's efforts should contact CRT to discuss ways they can participate in the campaign

• Send a donation to CRT, PO Box 2751, New York, NY 10163-2751. All donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law