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In May of 1996, Dr. Marguerite Kay published a high profile paper in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences which showed that vitamin E delays aging of the immune system and brain. The effect was dramatic. The study was covered by CNN, all major TV and radio stations, newspapers and periodicals nationally and internationally. Within 2 weeks, Dr. Michael Cusanovich, the Vice President for Research, ordered Dr. Kay out of her laboratory space on the main campus of the University. She was required to fill out endless forms, repeatedly move her lab to multiple new locations, etc. Dr. Kay's remaining lab in the Medical School was closed to research April 23, 1997, on Dr. Cusanovich's orders, and Dr. Kay has also been struggling with committees directly under Cusanovich's control. The University of Arizona has violated Dr. Kay's due process and US and AZ Constitutional rights. It is refusing to allow her to be represented by a lawyer in direct conflict with all applicable policies and constitutional law. They will make Dr. Kay's lawyer sit there and whisper to her, but he must leave the room if he speaks. If this were an inquiry, like those held before Congressional sub-commitees, then having a lawyer that is only allowed to advise would be acceptable. But this is a trial, where a judgement is made that can be career-threatening for Dr. Kay. Therefore, a lawyer should be allowed to represent her. "Represent" means "to act in the place of", which the lawyer cannot do if he isn't allowed to speak for Dr. Kay. This trial-- which is being described as a Witch Trial due to its unwillingness to allow Dr. Kay the rights that she needs to adequately defend herself-- will be in front of a hand-picked Committee on Academic Freedom and Tenure, the composition of which violates all applicable rules (please read the letters from Dr. Kay's lawyer to the University of Arizona, below, for more info on this). Half of this committee, including its Chairman, Dr. T.Cetas, will serve as prosecuters and half will serve as judges. This is a question of freedom and constitutional rights. In order to advance our knowledge and prevent disease, researchers must have the right to seek truth and express honestly held professional opinions without fear of reprisal.
Dr. Kay has been involved in building a World Class Research Group in Immunobiology. She is internationally known in the areas of cellular and molecular aging, immunology, and Alzheimer's disease. The purpose of her research is to find treatments that will delay or prevent diseases associated with aging. The goal of her research is to prolong productive lifespan. She has had a national and international reputation as a physician/scientist since her twenties. Dr. Kay has been working on developing cures for age associated diseases and Alzheimer's disease by manipulating the immune system and using antioxidants and alternative medical treatment. Dr. Kay is a Diplomat of the newly formed American Board of Anti-Aging Medicine, and spoke on her vitamin E research at the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine meetings in Las Vegas this past December.
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