Scientist who cured type I Diabetes in mice was denied funding for human trials
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Scientist who cured type I Diabetes in mice was denied funding for human trials
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Re: Scientist who cured type I Diabetes in mice was denied funding for human trials
#2Normally it's the diabetics who make such claims about the industry--- it's a surprise (a pleasant one) to hear such come from a possible solution source! As a long time type-2 diabetic, I'm still happy for ANYTHING that may someday help my fellow type-1s...
Re: Scientist who cured type I Diabetes in mice was denied funding for human trials
#3The article touches on one of the risks to the health care industry today, at least here in the US:
In many cases, the pharmaceutical companies are making billions by selling drugs which merely reduce undesired symptoms. But do not CURE the underlying problem. And the symptom reduction only lasts while the user continues to buy and consume the drug. Therefore, in many cases, these companies have a strong financial incentive to NOT cure a disease, instead, to prolong it and only sell palliatives. Government funding and government directed research should be one of the ways we ensure that we have people actively trying to CURE diseases. It's a classic example of an area where government can do something better than business, because there does not have to be a profit motive. Just a collective desire to reduce human suffering.
This also touches on why it's important to vote carefully in US presidential and congressional elections. Because certain political groups cater to the Big Pharma companies. A vote for them is almost certainly a vote towards a world where there are more palliatives than cures. Where even new forms of ill health can just be considered new "markets" or new ways to increase profits.
Re: Scientist who cured type I Diabetes in mice was denied funding for human trials
#4Normally it's the diabetics who make such claims about the industry--- it's a surprise (a pleasant one) to hear such come from a possible solution source! As a long time type-2 diabetic, I'm still happy for ANYTHING that may someday help my fellow type-1s...
Yep, diabetes is one of the Big Three health problems in the US, along with cancer and heart disease. There are people in my family that have it as well. And supposedly it's one of the fastest growing health problems in recent decades.
Re: Scientist who cured type I Diabetes in mice was denied funding for human trials
#5The article touches on one of the risks to the health care industry today, at least here in the US: In many cases, the pharmaceutical companies are making billions by selling drugs which merely reduce undesired symptoms. But do not CURE the underlying problem. And the symptom reduction only lasts while the user continues to buy and consume the drug. Therefore, in many cases, these companies have a strong financial in…
That's a classic example of an area where government can NOT do better than business, because government sucks at innovation.
There are plenty of companies that are not selling insulin, so they would be interested to be able to sell diabetes cure.
Assuming the chances of developing the cure are reasonably good.
Re: Scientist who cured type I Diabetes in mice was denied funding for human trials
#6The great thing about the internet is now everyone can read about such scandals.
The bad thing about the internet is the noise level is so high, few will read about such scandals.
I hope in 100 years, advanced hobbyists can do sophisticated medical R&D in their garage and create small quantities of medicine for stuff that big pharma doesn't find profitable (the problem is the government will probably shut that down).
Re: Scientist who cured type I Diabetes in mice was denied funding for human trials
#7Can we call it fault-lines of capitalism ?
Re: Scientist who cured type I Diabetes in mice was denied funding for human trials
#8The article touches on one of the risks to the health care industry today, at least here in the US: In many cases, the pharmaceutical companies are making billions by selling drugs which merely reduce undesired symptoms. But do not CURE the underlying problem. And the symptom reduction only lasts while the user continues to buy and consume the drug. Therefore, in many cases, these companies have a strong financial in…
a lot of truth to that.
I also think that if consumers were actually paying the full direct cost of treatments, they would be a lot less willing to pay for a chronic drug habit instead of a cure.
Selling cures can be profitable too.
Consumers are perfectly able to see and pay for the benefits of a one time solution as opposed to a cheaper chronic solution. That's why they buy cars and houses instead of renting them. The market will deliver what the consumer wants if the consumer were making the spending decisions.
Government can't be somehow better than business at deciding what to fund. Its manipulated by business! The current pattern has evolved in a government funded research environment. Only ending the interference in the normal process of making decisions at the consumer level can fix this problem.
Re: Scientist who cured type I Diabetes in mice was denied funding for human trials
#9The article touches on one of the risks to the health care industry today, at least here in the US: In many cases, the pharmaceutical companies are making billions by selling drugs which merely reduce undesired symptoms. But do not CURE the underlying problem. And the symptom reduction only lasts while the user continues to buy and consume the drug. Therefore, in many cases, these companies have a strong financial in…
That's a classic example of an area where government can NOT do better than business, because government sucks at innovation. There are plenty of companies that are not selling insulin, so they would be interested to be able to sell diabetes cure. Assuming the chances of developing the cure are reasonably good.
They can fund the researchers that actually do the innovation, is what I read it as.
Re: Scientist who cured type I Diabetes in mice was denied funding for human trials
#10The article touches on one of the risks to the health care industry today, at least here in the US: In many cases, the pharmaceutical companies are making billions by selling drugs which merely reduce undesired symptoms. But do not CURE the underlying problem. And the symptom reduction only lasts while the user continues to buy and consume the drug. Therefore, in many cases, these companies have a strong financial in…
That's a classic example of an area where government can NOT do better than business, because government sucks at innovation. There are plenty of companies that are not selling insulin, so they would be interested to be able to sell diabetes cure. Assuming the chances of developing the cure are reasonably good.
Disagree. Individuals (scientists, doctors, lab technicians, inventors) can do the innovating, can do the research. They just need to be paid and given space and tools and time to do it in. Enter government. Government does not need to innovate, just write checks. The problem with the alternative, like a large private corporation, can be that it may not be in their best interests profit wise to pursue a certain line of development. Could reduce their profits. Or at least they can be afraid it might. And they have a fiduciary responsibility to their shareholders. Not necessarily a sense of ethical obligation to their fellow man.