Diabetes Group Backing Stem Cell Research

[papau]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=624&ncid=753&e=2&u=/ap/20040730/ap_on_sc/stem_cell_funder

Diabetes Group Backing Stem Cell Research

By PAUL ELIAS, AP Biotechnolgy Writer

SAN FRANCISCO - To develop human embryonic stem cells in the lab, a researcher needs skill, patience — and a whole lot of money.

That's a problem for the small circle of scientists in the emerging, but controversial field. They say the Bush administration's strict funding restrictions on such research is stifling innovation, while the political fallout from their work makes young scientists leery of joining the field.

That's where the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation comes in.

Though known more for its charity walks than as a driving force behind cutting-edge medical research, the 34-year-old nonprofit has emerged as one of the stem cell field's biggest financial backers and loudest cheerleaders. <snip>

In addition to the $3 million in human embryonic stem cell grants it doled out to researchers in last year, the foundation has set aside at least $1 million for what it calls "education" — and what critics call "lobbying" — of state and local lawmakers and voters. <snip>

[Zookeeper]

1. I just made my largest donation to the JDRF...

My 12-year old was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes eight years ago. She has had about 22,000 encounters with needles and lancets since then. I want a cure, I don't want to wait to see if adult stem cells work. Every day we wait, is one more day that contributes to her future health complications.

I would love to force a Fundie to explain face-to-face to a child with Diabetes, that they should continue to prick their fingers and inject insulin several times a day, in order to protect some cells in a petri dish.

Thanks, Ron Reagan, for the great speech at the Dem Convention!