Posted by Al Gordon on June 07, 1999 at 09:55:40:
In Reply to: Re: JDF posted by Mary E. on June 06, 1999 at 23:17:45:
Mary, I don't think I want to spend much more time in this particular debate.
You asked, "But just tell me what has come out of their funding that can give me some sort of treatment option other than insulin for my child in the next several years?" Well, the answer is "Nothing!". But that is a result of funding decisions made in the past. Today, some of JDF's funding decisions do stand a chance of advancing our shared goal. Obviously, their effect has not yet been seen.
I don't think you realize the extent to which the Lay Review Committee drives the funding process, and those people have no loyalty to anything other than curing the damned disease.
As for your comment on "JDF's 20% commission rate", the percentage that JDF actually uses for research stands as a beacon for all charitable organizations. Again, you show your lack of objectivity when you describe their minimal overhead as a "commission rate". Have a look at the ADA who spend less than 4% of donors' money on cure research.
Like any group, JDF occasionally seeks to defend the group rather than remaining true to its mandate. It is up to all of us to yell and scream each time that happens. But we must be criticizing with facts, not with hypothetical accusations of what JDF might do if a researcher criticizes them.
I have no patience with these straw man arguments. If you have real, supportable criticisms based on actual events, then by all means let's hear them.
Al