Posted by ms on July 06, 2001 at 11:15:51:
In Reply to: PS :GWB posted by Steve on July 06, 2001 at 09:22:25:
I am not a big fan of stem cells -- though if they hold 'some' promise they should be pursued -- primarily because I think that even if they are viable, it will be some time in the future before they work, at best, and will there be an adequate supply? Moreover, if everyone jumps on the bandwagon with stems cells, that might drain money from other approaches such as porcine islets (where there certainly is problem with supply).
As for GWB's decision on stem cells, it won't be his decision anyway, as he'll have to check with Mr. Rove (to see how GWB's decision will cost him in future elections) or the VP, Mr. Cheney. So whatever decision is made, it truly won't be GWB. You ought to read Bill Safire's (certainly no liberal) July 5th column in the NY Times urging GWB to make a bold decision and move forward on stem cells. Again, I have no idea if they'll work and when, but in order for CURE to be reached, whether it's with respect to diabetes or Parkinson's or anything else, it will take imaginative, unorthodox thinking. Remember the Australian doctor who was much maligned (he was right) who contended that ulcers were caused by bacteria? It seems as if too many people in medical research get complacent with the same old approaches (which seem to consistently fail). What are they afraid of -- that they'll lose their yearly funding if a CURE is found?
I'm not suggesting that money be poured into some form of junk medicine, but if there are true medical underpinnings for a 'different' approach, we ought to be bold enough to try those approaches. Only bold thinking and innovative measures -- thinking out of the box -- will someday result in a CURE for these diseases. Thank goodness there are some very wealthy people in this country and elsewhere who have the guts to fund on their own different approaches because they want a CURE for their loved ones and they are truly tired of the same old 'party-line' from many of the private and government entities following the same old things that have failed year after year.
ms