Many complaints have been made in past diaries pointing to little difference between democrats and republicans in policy making, because of their corporate ties.
So I bet few will be shocked to hear about the ploys used by democrats in New Jersey to paint their state as an embryonic stem cell research friendly state.
Just like the MSM buys into Bush's claim that he's the first president to fund embryonic stem cell research, they are just as happy to make out New Jersey is funding significant amounts of embryonic stem cell research, while quite the opposite is actually true.
Media Matters has an excellent piece setting the MSM straight on Bush's truthiness in stating that he's the first president to fund embryonic stem cell research.
Now, let's delve into how the democrats in New Jersey are mimicking Bush,........playing a dirty game of pretending to be an embryonic stem cell research friendly state with help from the MSM.
The MSM reporting on New Jersey's stem cell research efforts has eagerly parroted blanket statements like:
"Both houses of the Legislature yesterday approved a measure to invest nearly a half-billion dollars in long-term funding for stem cell research"
And
"New Jersey awarded $10 million in stem cell research grants Tuesday that Gov. Jon S. Corzine hoped would help skirt federal restrictions on embryonic stem cell work."
Even the basic statement
"I support Stem Cell Research"
, says many different things depending on who says it.
Make sure when politicians say it, it's reality based, and they actually work to increase funding for human embryonic stem cell research, which is the only type restricted by Bush.
In New Jersey, the trick for example has been to fund mouse embryonic stem cell research instead of the human kind, and then claim their state has a Pro-ESCR environment. (As we all know Bush has nothing against mouse ESCR and already heavily funds it at the federal level.)
Look at this ironic statement by New Jersey's Governor Corzine:
"Given the lack of leadership from the Bush Administration, it is up to the states to do what is necessary to cultivate this cutting-edge research. I am proud that New Jersey is leading the pack."
Yet New Jersey, has actually become a Mecca for adult stem cell research at a ratio worse than Bush's:
ONLY 4 out of 33 state grants approved in 2006 and 2007 ( totalling $15 million), were for human embryonic stem cell research.
But, it definitely makes a nice soundbite for the Governor and the MSM to claim that NJ is supportive of ESCR.
Governor Corzine actually had the nerve to make this statement following Bush's veto of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act which would have opened up ESCR funding at the federal level where typically 80% of all basic medical research is funded:
"Today’s veto of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007 by President Bush perpetuates a misguided policy that will block research into potentially lifesaving treatments for so many illnesses.
"In addition, the Executive Order issued by the President is nothing more than window dressing – plain and simple. At a time when states and the private sector are partnering to further discovery of this promising science, the federal government should be doing more to improve the lives of millions of Americans.
"I am proud that New Jersey is stepping into the breach and leading the way in supporting research that offers hope to so many in our state and beyond. Just yesterday, we approved over $10 million in grants for stem cell research – grants approved as part of an independent, scientific peer review process, and last week we approved nearly $9.2 million in predevelopment funding for the creation of a world-class stem cell research facility. In addition, tomorrow the Legislature will consider a ballot initiative asking the voters to approve $450 million in funding for stem cell research grants.
"Working with the Legislature, especially leaders like Governor Richard Codey and Assemblyman Neil Cohen, we will continue to ensure that New Jersey remains at the forefront of stem cell research."
Corzine's "At the forefront of stem cell research" means nothing more than when Bush says it,.... considering only 4 out of 33 grants actually went to human embryonic stem cell research.
I don't like spin whether it comes from a democrat or a republican. Fooling the public is a NO NO in my book, period.
Why is this so important to me?
Well, I'm sure you've heard the often made statement that "embryonic stem cell research hasn't led to a single treatment yet."
With the first embryonic treatment ready to be tested in humans in the US to combat paralysis, that is going to change fast.
Leading neurobiologist Professor Hans Keirstead, in Australia this week for an international stem cell conference, is set to start clinical trials in the US using embryonic stem cells to treat acute paralysis.
The cells are extracted from a fertilised human egg that can grow into any type of cell in the body.
Prof Keirstead, who heads a team at the Christopher Reeve-Irvine Research Centre in California, has proved the therapy works in rats.
Patients must be treated within 14 days of an injury because the spinal cord must still be inflamed to allow the ESC to rebuild myelin, an insulation for nerve fibres.
Joanna Knott, the convenor of the Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research Australia, said this did not mean there was no hope for people who had been wheelchair-bound for some time.
Though this treatment is for those who were only recently injured ( two weeks after becoming paralyzed ), we have great hopes that the priority given to embryonic stem cell research in California, Connecticut and Maryland ( states with almost 100% embryonic stem cell research funding) will get more researchers looking into restoring mobility in those like my son Jason, who have been paralyzed far longer than two weeks.
Jason (17), became paralyzed at the age of 7 when he collided with another soccer player.
He is very angered that Bush wants cells trashed, that could help find cures for him and millions of other americans, instead of these cells being used for research. How in the world would it be better to trash the cells than to use them to find cures?!?
It is commendable that states are trying to pick up the slack in human embryonic stem cell research funding,..... but we don't need state imposters like New Jersey, trying to shore up their reputation without really delivering on human embryonic stem cell research!