Posted by Al Gordon on April 25, 1998 at 18:01:06:
In Reply to: Islet Foundation conflict of interest? posted by Ronald Hollman on April 25, 1998 at 14:56:35:
Dear "Ron",
Please note that there are many links and discussions on TIF's web site. I cannot explain why you only saw one of them. Some examples of groups featured or linked on our web site, many of which do not share TIF's views or approach :
Diatranz
Anthony Sun
Aaron Vinik
Robert Elliott
Insulin Free World (believe it or not)
Juvenile Diabetes Association
Melissa's Chat Forum
Diabetes Interview
Children with Diabetes
Sweet Support
Diabetics Unite!
Desmos, Inc. (due Monday)
Etc, etc
The funny part of your accusation is that Encelle does not even have a web site, so how could I have 2 links to it?
As for any financial interest, please note that my involvement in a bridge loan to Encelle was disclosed loud and clear when I made it last year. Please read the announcement yourself.
I do not consider the loan to Encelle, especially considering the full disclosure thereof, to be a conflict with our stated goal of finding a cure for diabetes as soon as possible. I do believe that Encelle is one of the leading lights in the field of islet immunobarriers. When their financial situation became tenuous last year, I had a choice - don't get involved and jeopardize the survival of one of our most hopeful contenders; or step up to the plate, put my money where my mouth is, make a $150,000 loan to the company, and risk accusations such as yours. I judged the risk of losing Encelle more significant than your potential disapproval.
Conflict of interest is a problem only when it corrupts behavior. I believe everything I have done has been in the interests of people with diabetes, and I would ask you to let me know whenever it has not, in order that I can correct my course.
Al