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Clearly, the exploration of plant species, as well as other sources of natural products, as 

 sources of valuable pharmaceuticals for cancer, HTV-infection and its associated diseases, and 

 other diseases, should be considered a high priority for active investigation. From a practical 

 point of view, the preservation of these natural resources is critical. NCI has recognized this 

 and made several important moves to ensure that scientific leads emanating from natural 

 products can be pursued without exploiting the countries from which these products are taken. 



NCI also recognizes the need for the public to be kept abreast of new developments in all 

 aspects of cancer research, and has established a toll-free regional Cancer Information 

 Service, 1-800-4-CANCER, so that patients, their families, and their physicians can receive 

 up-to-date information about their disease and its treatment. Information specialists are 

 equipped to provide callers with details about all NCI-supported clinical trials testing new 

 agents, including many of those mentioned here today. I should mention as well that the 

 NIAID, the FDA, the National Library of Medicine, and the Centers for Disease Control and 

 Prevention jointly support a toll-free AIDS clinical trials information service, which can be 

 accessed by telephone; that number is 1-800-TRIALS-A. 



In conclusion, I can assure you that NCI is working to bring cancer and AIDS patients new 

 diagnostic procedures and treatments to help eradicate, slow, or prevent the progress of their 

 disease and to ease anxiety and suffering. In our laboratories at the NCI and in our many 

 grantees' and contractors' laboratories across the country, we have the best assemblage of 

 men and women in the scientific world. I would like to emphasize that we confirm our 

 commitment to reduce death and suffering from cancer and AIDS and this commitment is 

 made with a full awareness of this awesome challenge. We have no illusions that this is an 

 easy task. 



I would be pleased to answer any questions. 



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