Dr. Onder doesn't speak for WU

To the editor:

The Aug. 18 article regarding the Missouri Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative contains comments by Dr. Robert Onder, identified as being "of Washington University." Dr. Onder is a physician in private practice. He is not employed by Washington University and does not receive any salary from this institution. One could argue that the name of his practice is more appropriate for journalists to use when establishing his credentials as a physician. Dr. Onder provides some voluntary services and therefore has a courtesy title with the university, but that should not be used to imply that he is an employee, a member of the full-time faculty or an authority on stem-cell research.

To our knowledge, when doing interviews and making speeches Dr. Onder points out that his opinions are personal and do not reflect the position of Washington University and discloses that he is not authorized to speak on behalf of the university. We support Dr. Onder's right to convey his personal opinions but believe readers are misled about his credentials and association with the university, and perhaps even about the university's position on this important issue, by references to Dr. Onder as being "of Washington University."

Washington University and its school of medicine, like more than 100 other civic, health-care, health-care advocacy, scientific and physicians' organizations, support Amendment 2, the Missouri Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative. The initiative ensures that Missouri medical researchers, physicians and most importantly, patients, will have access to any stem-cell cures allowed by federal law.

Dr. LARRY J. SHAPIRO, Executive Vice Chancellor for Medical Affairs and Dean,

Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis