Posted by Marina on November 29, 1997 at 21:45:56:
In Reply to: Re: CYGNUS TEST RESULTS posted by Charlie L. on November 29, 1997 at 19:36:04:
As far as religous conflicts, yes Charlie, I have thought of it but if that's the case it's their own personal decision and has nothing to do with whether or not the process works. Before synthetic human insulins, diabetics were routinely given animal insulins and if they chose not to use it...well, that was their decision.
I remember several years ago (even before Mikey's diagnosis) reading about a mother who deliberately withheld insulin from her type I diabetic son because she believed in the power of prayer over technology. Tragically, the boy died. Their was tremendous outrage at the woman for having withheld vital life saving medical treatment to her son. However, I don't recall any outrage at the medical community, specifically researchers, for not having made an alternative treatment for diabetes available for this woman to administer to her son. I believe in the power of prayer too but I also believe that God helps those who help themselves. We have to be active if we want to bring about change.
On another note, I don't recall seeing any documentation that beta cell transplantation and encapsulation was being exclusively funded. If that were the case, why would we all be here? Who, may I ask, is doing the "exclusive" funding and how much?
Marina