Posted by Announcement on 8/29/2002, 1:51 pm

**Note for Group Owners and Community Moderators: Please feel free to pass this mail and link on to your groups and any other interested parties. Our apologies in advance for any re- or cross-postings you might receive.** ERC INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE IN ENDOMETRIOSIS GENE RESEARCH STUDY Endometriosis is a significant disease affecting nearly 90 million women and adolescents worldwide. Though studies have progressed our knowledge of disease etiology over the years, we are no closer to a cure than we were when Endometriosis was first mentioned in the medical literature over 100 years ago. Though there are several theories, researchers remain unsure even as to the definitive cause of Endometriosis. The disease knows no racial or socio-economic barriers, and can affect women ranging from adolescence to post-menopause. Endometriosis can be so painful as to render a woman or teen unable to care for herself or her family or attend work, school or social functions. Endometriosis has the potential to affect every aspect of a woman's life, from her self-esteem to her relationships to her ability to be a contributing member of society. The ERC is a 501(c)3 tax exempt, tax deductible organization founded in 1997 to address the growing international need for Endometriosis education, support, awareness and research facilitation. The ERC strives to improve the quality of life for women and teens with Endometriosis and their loved ones, and raises awareness among the medical community concerning research and treatments for the disease. We provide extensive materials, fact sheets, videos, newsletters and articles on every aspect of Endometriosis to practitioners, patients and all those interested in the disease; work with legislators to facilitate proper funding for Endometriosis research; assist medical industry leaders with developmental studies and data collection on the disease; lobby the National Institutes of Heath and similar foundations in support of various research grants; and so much more. We are pleased to announce that we are now recruiting for participation in our latest research collaboration with EmerGen Corporation, a privately held gene discovery and biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery of novel therapeutics and diagnostics to address significant unmet medical needs in the area of women's health. EmerGen has amassed comprehensive databases and sample collections for conducting genetic, genomic, and proteomic research in the fields of women's health and reproductive biology. The company is also applying its expertise in the area of reproductive biology and genomics to develop novel drug targets by investigating early stage reproductive development processes which offer unique insights into cancer, immunosuppression, hypertension, and other major health problems. EmerGen intends to enter into a broad range of alliances to leverage its resources and accelerate development of products from discoveries in these areas. EmerGen Corporation has conducted preliminary studies and released subsequent findings confirming an increased risk of developing Endometriosis for first-degree relatives. Their data strongly suggests that this condition has a genetic basis. EmerGen acknowledges that current treatments for Endometriosis (surgery and hormonal therapy) are costly, carry significant risks and side effects, and have limited success. By furthering their research in families where Endometriosis is seen in several women, the company hopes to identify the gene(s) contributing to this disease. From this discovery, new diagnostic and treatment procedures can be developed. We would like to invite you to join the ERC and EmerGen in this important research. If you are interested in participating in this free and confidential study, please visit the link below for additional details and information, including qualification requirements, exclusion criteria and more. Thank you for helping to make a difference! Join the Research Study on the Genetics of Endometriosis: http://www.endocenter.org/emergenstudy.html Sincerely, Endometriosis Research Center a 501(c)3 tax-exempt, tax-deductible organization www.endocenter.org International Headquarters: 630 Ibis Drive | Delray Beach, FL 33444 | USA Phone: (561) 274-7442 | Toll Free (800) 239-7280 | Fax: (561) 274-9117