I wanted to express my opinion as just one ordinary member among
many, for whatever it is worth, on the current proposal to change the name
of our Association. I know that the intentions of those who have initiated
this proposal are good, but after taking a long time to think about it, I
for one hope that it does not happen.
I became involved with the ABRF because it was on organization
devoted to the advancement of Core Facilities and I would like to see it
stay an organization devoted to core facilities because there is no other
organization that does it. If I want to belong to an Association or Society
generally interested in biomolecular science then I will join (and have)
such things as the ASBMB, the Protein Society, AAAS, and the literally
dozens of other professional organizations out there. That isn't to say
that we shouldn't be interested in the broader spectra, but it is to say
that we shouldn't rush to dilute our identity and the reputation we have
worked so hard to build. If the ABRF doesn't represent resource
laboratories or core facilities, no one else will. We have enjoyed great
success as the ABRF. We don't need to be just like other organizations.
Changing our name seems to me to be a first step toward a slippery slope
away from our underpinning constituents.
I also have a problem with the proposed new name. It doesn't seem
to me to be very well thought out or very distinctive. It's very broad,
very general, very vanilla, and why hasn't the membership been given the
opportunity for some kind of input. I really hope that we don't become the
Association formerly known as the ABRF and just fade away, lost in the
beige background of cloned professional societies.
Best Regards,
Greg Grant
Gregory A. Grant
ggrant@pharmdec.wustl.edu