Are we getting closer to a cure, or....
...or is the overwhelming availability of information on the 'net just leading us to think so?
When I first joined Tu, I asked a question about a cure, and the overwhelming sentiment was that they've been saying "just five more years..." every five years since the Truman administration. [for those outside of the United States: 1945 to 1953]. Everyone seemed to grow in disbelief of these false promises, and gave up hope it would ever happen.
Nowadays, everywhere I turn I seem to be more in tune to various methods being undertaken by researchers to cure T1D: islet encapsulation, beta regeneration, DiaPep, BCG, T-Cells, Skin Cells, Stem Cells. The techniques and approaches are much more diverse than I ever could have imagined.
My Facebook page news feed keeps growing to include entries from JDRF, JDCA, DRI, and so forth, constantly feeding me with little nuggets of hope.
It has been getting my hopes up.
But should it be? Other than the explosion of online social media, what's changed? Diabetes is still not among the high-profile causes that trigger massive outpourings of donations. The political climate still isn't one that emphasizes T1 as a big deal, and the FDA is as overly cautious as they've ever been. Big Pharma is still making Big Bucks off of our care, and many still think they are the Big Roadblock.
So, are we really closer than we were ten, fifteen years ago, or is the ease of distributing information to the masses via social media just making me think that we are? Are even the most pessimistic of pessimists starting to believe that there might be good news someday?
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Stemwinder on -
Say now ACID do you still have the hat.
-
Permalink Reply by Doris D on -
Scott I'm hoping that we are closer to a cure than we were 38 years ago. I honestly don't know how to answer u. Yes I was told the 5 year cure thing back in 73. I can say that we've seen many major changes since then. Let's hope so. Who knows???
-
Permalink Reply by Sam I am on -
I have another sad theory......I think they want to keep milking money from us and therefore even if a cure is found, they will hide or disguise it. Look at cancer research...they get the most money, but the same or more people are dying now. And look at all the drug treatments...they are raking in the dough. They don't want to cure us, they want to suck every last cent out of us. I don't mean to be negative, I just don't trust the establishment much anymore.
-
Permalink Reply by robydobydo on -
Hi scott.
did they get to the moon???
Do you believe in big money and jobs galore???
In todays world almost anything a human being can imagine can be done giving they have the budget to do so.
Yes I beleive they do have a cure but think of the massive amounts of monies lost and the jobs.
they could not have possibly landed on the moon and have known that fact now for years
-
Permalink Reply by robydobydo on
-
Maybe my stuffed dog crash landed
-
Permalink Reply by Stoyan on -
Good question Scott. The problem is, as we often point out at the JDCA, not with a lack of funds or a lack of talented scientists and researchers. The problem is that a cure is still not the focal point for diabetes non-profits, and they use the money they receive in fundraisers for a variety of other purposes that may advance the diabetes cause to some extent, but lack a focused and driven goal to really achieve progress.
One thing most of us can agree on as that we need to see changes - otherwise, you are right, we will keep on saying "five more years" forever. If we want a cure, we need to press for one by speaking out.
-
Permalink Reply by jims on
-
What a column. Starts on Jnuary 2012 with valid serious concerns and thoughts.
Peters out by april 2012.No real answers.
Good work is going on around the world but we are stalled here in America on same old stuff.
Good research work sits stalled in the Government warehouse holding Indiana Jones relics and discoveries.
Most work seems to be on type 1 while for type 2 - what?
Metformin, exercise and diet and a few new drugs are being worked.
Never mind the numbers, There is in my mind no real focus and work on solving 85 percent of the diabetic problem and a holy prayer that type 1 cures will solve all the problems.
Worse than depressing!
-
Permalink Reply by Peetie on -
I agree Jims. As long as the focus and money continue to go to T2 meds, statins, etc., the hope of a cure is pretty slim.
I do see some small hope in the Joslin medal studies and Dr. Faustman's research.
- ‹ Previous
- 1
- 2
- Next ›
Advertisement
REsources
Groups
From the Diabetes Hands Foundation blog...
Congratulations Diabetes Advocates Scholarship Recipients!
The Diabetes Hands Foundation and Diabetes Advocates Program is proud to announce and congratulate the members of DA who were granted scholarships to attend diabetes conferences in 2013! Thanks to a generous grant from Novo Nordisk, in 2013 we were …Continue Reading
La Familia de EsTuDiabetes Sigue Creciendo
El Centro Nacional de Prevención de Enfermedades Crónicas y Promoción de la Salud en el Estados Unidos encontró que a partir de 2002-2009, el 11,8% de los hispanos mayores de 20 años, que viven en los EU, viven con diabetes …Continue Reading
TuDiabetes Team
DHF STAFF
 Manny Hernandez(Co-Founder, Editor, has LADA)
|
DHF VOLUNTEERS
Lead Administrator
 Bradford (has type 1) |
Administrators
 Lorraine (mother of type 1) |
 Marie B (has type 1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIKE us on Facebook
Spread the word
This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.
© 2013 A community of people touched by diabetes, run by the Diabetes Hands Foundation.
