Science You Can Believe In

"I couldn't see a thing. Everything was black. I slumped against the wall and steadied myself until slowly my vision started to come back, blurry and plotchy, but at least it wasn't total darkness anymore. This time, I didn't need a doctor to tell me what was happening. When you're battling diabetes, after your fingers and toes, your eyes are the next to go. For the first time I was scared."
- Joe Trippi, The Revolution Will Not Be Televised

I'm not alone. 23.6 million Americans suffer from diabetes. And, for all of us, Monday was an important--and emotional--day. President Barack Obama signed an executive order lifting the nation's ban on funding research on new embryonic stem cell lines. With it, there is new hope for millions of diabetes sufferers, including me, as well as millions more suffering from other debilitating diseases.

This isn't just a symbolic gesture - it's a move that actually enables the greatest scientists in our country to get back to work on finding cures. Take just one example:

A developmental biologist at the University of Utah wants to see if embryonic stem cells can "be coaxed into becoming insulin-producing, potentially replacing those ravaged by Type 1 diabetes." Until Obama's decision, she could only use NIH-funded lines created before Aug. 9, 2001, even though they are considered "unrepresentative." And, the researcher couldn't afford to proceed without NIH-backing. Will this study provide the next step towards finding a cure? One can only hope, but now, we'll at least find out the answer.

Obama's decision on stem cells is not only critical for our nation's health, it also signals something even more significant - the return to science-based policy and the embracement, once again, of America's innovation economy.

Unfortunately, many Republicans still don't get it. In referring to Obama's decision on stem cells, Gingrich-protégé and Republican rising star, Congressman Eric Cantor said, "There is a reason it's coming up this week. Why are we going and distracting ourselves from the economy? This is job No 1, let's focus on what needs to be done."

What Cantor doesn't understand is reversing Bush's decision on stem cells is not a 'distraction.' Investing and embracing science and innovation will not only help cure terrible diseases, but, it is inextricably linked with getting America's economy back on track. Let's face it. These are tough economic times. But, what has kept America great is her ability to innovate and grow. Innovation has always driven our success.

If we are going to make it out of this crisis, and we will, the engine will be innovation. Industries like biotechnology will discover new cures to diseases like diabetes and cancer. Clean-tech and alternative energy will solve climate change and power a new 21st century economy. Rebuilding America means building a new innovation economy, which will create millions of jobs and sustain our economic growth for generations to come.

And to get there, we need to have public policies that promote and support continued innovation. The stem cell executive order is just a first step toward moving from research to therapies and cures for patients. In the end, we will need companies to take the research conducted by NIH and universities and turn it into usable medicines. And a lot of these capital-intensive companies are already struggling because of the current economic crisis. Since September 2008, more than 28 biotech companies have shelved promising drug development programs in a number of areas including Alzheimer's, MS, diabetes and cancer. Companies in other promising industries like nanotech and clean tech are feeling the pinch as well. Here's the bottom line - we lose them; we lose innovation; and we lose potential cures.

Obama's executive order opens up a huge new gateway for stem cell research, but this must only be the beginning. This is change we can believe in. With yesterday's announcement, I have new hope we can cure Diabetes and dozens of other diseases - if not for myself, then for my children. And, by investing and believing in innovation we will overcome our current economic woes and ensure our prosperity for decades to come. Thank you, Mr. President.

 

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Comments

[bookbuck2000]

Not to be a ninny but science has a way of becoming dangerous without any help from the peanut gallery of idiots paraded as intellectuals. I noted where Obama said no cloning, but do you think that will stop those that want to push the envelope. And supposing we do start cloning which will happen just as sure as space flight was once deemed impossible. Will clones be people willthey be drones that science can install brain software to make them do the fighting, the menial tasks, etc. Just do a little research is all I ask with your eyes wide open and realize that science fiction of yesterday is science of today. Spliiting the atom got us a world killer, the worst will be recognized and I for one do not trust any political persuasion with a dog in this hunt.

[lightningbolt]

Anything can be dangerous in the wrong hands, that doesn't mean we should stop using it. Splitting the atom got us the atomic bomb which has the potential to destroy us, but on the other hand, nuclear weapons have done more for peace than any other invention in the world. The great powers will never fight each other again because of nuclear weapons, they know both sides will lose and it will be the end of the world. For the most part, science is good as long as it is used responsibly. And in this case, the benefits we will get from stem cell research definitely justify it. So lets stop listening to the retarded republicans for once and for all and lets continue making progress with science.

[wmfor]

Yeah, and spitting the atom never would have happened if Einstein had been censored and thrown into jail. Come to think of it, the World Wars wouldn't have happened if it hadn't been for the invention of the internal combustion engine and those evil Wright Brothers. I so long for the Middle Ages.

[magicwanz]

I'm all for it. But the title of your blog says it all. Americans don't trust science or scientists. Critical thinking, like math, only gives you a headache.

[sunny123]

Great post, Joe. We are now getting back on track for the future. Those who are against this are against the future. They are afraid of change. There are many diseases that need to be addressed. Thank you for your story. It is a shame that so many "christians" and I deliberately did not capitalize that are not really Christians. They have forgotten what a rebel our Christ was. Go Science.

[ProudMormon]

How do you feel about hESC getting utterly snubbed by the NIH on its recently released list of Top Priorities in stem cell research?

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/challenge_award/High_Priority_Topics.pdf#topic_14

Those scientists at NIH sure like those iPS cells, though. 6 out of their 8 top priorities specifically require or encourage the use of iPS cells.

Now, that may sound like a minor thing. It's ONLY $200 million, right? Well, not really, because the NIH ALSO decided that the$200 million would be the ONLY source of funding for new grants this year.

http://www.the-scientist.com/blog/display/55488/

The rest of their budget is going toward OLD grants. In other words, they have snubbed hESC research for another entire year.

Doesn't exactly sound like a high priority, does it?

[ProudMormon]

Oops, wrong link.

http://www.the-scientist.com/blog/display/55438/

New grants need not apply.

[Neurogeek]

Of course they're using the stimulus funds to fund grants that have only been reviewed--they're trying to get the stimulus funds out there ASAP. And the grants you're referring to are only part of the "Challenge Grant" program. Most NIH funds are dispersed via R01 grants, and now that the scope of what type of hESC research can be funded has expanded, there will likely be a lot more applications for hESC research going out at the next deadline.
I'm not sure if you were trying to downplay the importance of Obama's overturn of the ban, but if so, you failed...quit your whining and leave science to the scientists.

[JimReed]

So biotech goes up in value because of the new pro-science stance, and those companies become the only bright spot in the economy, and they start attracting lots of money that has nowhere else safe to go, and soon they lead everyone else out of the recession. Cool.

[KillTheMessenger]

As someone who has connections to people in biotech, I would seriously warn you about taking yourself to seriously on this matter. Unless you were joking, of course.

[Penny Waters]

Joe, thank you for sharing your personal story. This is change we can believe in. Studies have been going on in Miami that I know of personally for this particular disease. My Mom has a slight case of Parkinson's as well as being a T2 diabetic. This is so huge for me that I could shout it from the rooftops. Yes indeed, thank you Mr. President!

[sweetlucy47]

Yes, Joe, you are so right.. this is Change we can believe it.. It is why I voted for, worked for, called for and supported Barack Obama for President and why I continue to support him. No, I don't blindly support him.. .I am not like the blind republicans who still seem to think that Bush can and could do no wrong, I understand that he can and will stumble along the way. Won't we all.. that's what being a human is all about.

But yes, by bringing science back to the forefront of medicine and allowing real research to be a part of the way forward it gives hope to millions of people once again.

Thanks for sharing your story.