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Hi All - As many of you know, last Fall I was contacted by an official at the National Institutes Of Health in Washington, DC. "Would you be interested in being on a Government committee concerned with xenotransplantation?" "Yes" was my immediate response. Soooo, after mountains of paper work went back and forth between Washington and my home in Rhode Island, (the FedEx guy was busy!) the appointment to this panel was approved. The first meeting of the Secretary's Advisory Committee On Xenotransplantation - SACX - took place this past week. It was quite an experience. Read on. To begin, their coordinator booked and paid for the airline tickets and hotel room. A private car was sent to pick me up at the airport. Everything went very smoothly. To put it simply, I (just an ordinary guy) really got the VIP treatment! Everybody I dealt with was most kind and helpful. That evening (Monday) there was a welcoming dinner/reception where the members and a few NIH staff got to meet and chat. It was very nice. At 8:30 the next morning the meeting began. I was shocked at what I found in the conference room. I was told that the committee of 20 members would convene and discuss various issues related to xenotransplantation. Little did I grasp about the enormity of it! There were Government officials, the committee members, scientists, industry executives, physicians, researchers, psychologists, etc. About 100 people were attending. US Surgeon General David Satcher swore in the committee members and then gave opening remarks. The members, seated at 3 large tables, introduced themselves. It was set up like a Congressional hearing. We all had microphones at are seats. The rest of the day was spent in discussion of what topics we would be working on. We have been charged with establishing Government guidelines for xenotransplantation. Subjects include economic, social, and psychological issues. Also, there are such things as disease transmission, animal welfare, and safety. The next day brought an expansion of the previous session's work. And there were speeches and presentations by several members and others who are involved with this program. I was called to give a speech from the patient's viewpoint. (I am the only patient on the panel.) I gave my little talk and showed a "before & after" video. Much to my relief it was very well accepted by everyone. It is truly exciting to be a part of this important process. And I am humbled by the vast array of medical specialists I'll be working with. The next gathering is scheduled for sometime in May/June. Jim Finn