Posted by Al Gordon on January 08, 1998 at 21:09:05:
In Reply to: Re: Diabetes Interview posted by mary on January 08, 1998 at 19:05:32:
Mary, I'm afraid this would be doomed to failure. The companies making meters are not selling a deadly product like cigarettes, a product whose only purpose is addiction when used exactly as the vendor intended. These are honorable companies making a product that has benefited people with diabetes, and I would never support any coercive legislation that makes villains of such organizations.
The purpose of reporting on their activity is to show that the private sector will always bankroll any activity with the annuity potential of blood glucose meters, and that scarce funds from charitable or government sources are simply not needed.
Besides, profitable companies generate huge tax revenues which the government collects. It is the likes of NIH and other government bodies from which we need to demand intelligent and adequate research funding.
I understand your feelings about the money being made from the misery of diabetes, but we must support what is possible and honorable.
Al