RESEARCH
POLICY
STATEMENT
Basic
and applied research on the causes, consequences, and treatment of mental
retardation and related developmental disabilities must be adequately financed,
well designed, focused on important topics, conducted with the highest ethical
standards, and presented in formats accessible to multiple audiences.
ISSUE
Government
and private financial commitments remain insufficient to support the broad
research agenda that includes issues most important to our constituents and
their families.
Without both basic and applied research, scientists cannot learn about
the biological and environmental causes of mental retardation, reduce its
preventable causes, improve the quality of life of affected persons and their
families and address policy and service-delivery enhancements.
They cannot identify the most promising educational, social, and clinical
interventions that help people develop and function in society.
Often
they conduct research without consulting people with mental retardation and/or
family members about its design, methodology, dissemination, and use.
They then present the results in ways that are neither understandable nor
usable for nonscientists.
POSITION
Applied
and basic research related to the causes, consequences, and treatment of mental
retardation and other developmental disabilities must be a national priority.
The following must occur:
·
Government
and private entities must make adequate funds available to support this
research.
·
Advocacy
and professional organizations, government agencies, the research community and
people with mental retardation and their families must work together in
defining, evaluating, and promoting a research agenda that addresses important
topics in the lives of people with mental retardation and their families.
·
The
highest scientific and ethical standards must be enforced to ensure efficient
and effective use of limited research funds and to prevent exploitation or harm
of people with mental retardation and members of their families.
