|
Title: Pitts: A “Strong
Supporter of Stem Cell Research”? I Think Not!
by Alison L.
Needles, Oxford, PA
Joe Pitts’
website touted that the Congressman voted against H.R. 3 (Stem
Cell Research Enhancement Act) and went on to quote Mr. Pitts as
saying, “ I’m a strong supporter of stem cell research.” Pitts says
he supports ethical stem cell research because it does not destroy a
human embryo. In response, I wrote a letter to Mr. Pitts, summarizing
my own experience with diabetes, asking him to tell me what he is
doing on behalf of the diabetics of the 16th District. As of this
writing I have not received a response. My letter will be published
in the February 14th edition of the Chester County Press editorial
section.
Background information
posted on the Pitts website said, “research using stem cells without
destroying human embryos has proven successful in treating 72
different diseases and conditions.”
Interesting that on the
American Diabetes Association website there is a
Myth
vs. Fact document which describes Mr. Pitts’ “facts” as myth
rather than fact. The fact is that “While there is great promise in
adult stem cell research only a handful of treatments are currently
FDA-Approved.”.
It appears that we have an
uninformed Congressman who is in fact not really a supporter of any
kind of stem cell research. In response to the Bush Administration
Fiscal 2008 Budget Proposal, Dr. Larry C. Deeb, President, Medicine &
Science, American Diabetes Association released the following
information on February 5, 2007: “ It is very unfortunate that the
Bush Administration, as demonstrated by today’s budget proposal, has
failed to recognize that diabetes is the greatest public health crisis
of the first quarter of the 21st century. The Bush Administration and
Congress have not increased the federal resources directed at diabetes
in four years, while the disease has grown by nearly 30 percent in
that same time period. Currently, one in ten health care dollars -
and one in four Medicare dollars - is spent on diabetes and its
complications. Without the proper investment in diabetes treatment
and prevention, which this budget proposal fails to provide, our
health care system will continue to spiral downward.” I ask, “what
are you doing about this Mr. Pitts?”
Though many diabetics are
working hard to help find a cure, I would be remiss if I didn’t also
say we are very excited about the improvements in Blood Glucose
monitoring systems, new FDA-approved DDP-4 Inhibitor class of drug
therapies which can help improve our quality of life. We see
improvements in the sugar-free food choices we have today compared to
years ago - and we are happy about that! SPLENDA® Sweeteners has
stepped up to match every dollar donated to the ADA up to $50,000 for
a limited time period in the 2007 Campaign for a Cure. I personally
like to watch CNBC’s “Dlife” Show which airs every Sunday night
7:00-7:30pm. I learn more about coping with diabetes and the many
resources available to me to improve my quality of life.
Diabetic children of the
16th District can send a
Youth Advocate Letter to President Bush telling him what it is
like to have diabetes and how much you want a cure!
Over 21 million adults and
children suffer from diabetes and every 21 seconds another adult or
child in the U.S. is diagnosed with this chronic disease. Though Mr.
Pitts claims that he is a strong supporter of ethical stem cell
research, I have yet to see any evidence that he realizes what a
monumental concern this disease and its complications are for those of
us in the 16th District who are waiting for a cure.
Alison L. Needles
aln4@zoominternet.net
comment on this news item...
|
