I am convinced that what is happening in New Jersey will keep my son in his wheelchair longer than necessary.
For years, I thought the pro-lifers were at fault, but now the "establishment" pro-hESCR ( human embryonic stem cell research) folks have joined them.
Please pass this message on to Michael J. Fox.
Clearly we are very much being misled in New Jersey by establishment Democrats.
How am I going to tell my son, we've been used, exploited, to build up the positive message of hESCR, to instead garner $$$ for adult stem cell research in New Jersey?
My son Jason, was only 7 years old when he became paralyzed from the nose down after colliding with another soccer player. While his four sisters' lives have moved forward, now at age 17, Jason is feeling terribly left behind.
Since 1999, it has been my mission to make sure the promise of hESCR ( human Embryonic Stem Cell Research) is being pursued both on the federal level as well as the state level. I loved Jonathan Moreno's article titled "Hope is not Enough" and Embryonic Stem Cell Research by the numbers:
http://www.americanprogress.org/...
So ever since March, this year, I have been trying to alert the various hESCR organizations about how NJ puts politics before progress.
New Jersey has been touting the fact that they were the first or second state to appropriate funding for hESCR, yet an examination of the actual dollars awarded to hESCR, the research that the federal government has restricted, reveals that it is dismal at $600,000 out of $15 million awarded so far.
As comforting as it was to know that CA did in fact decide to put $3 billion over 10 years towards hESCR, it is discomforting to know that other blue states such as NJ will use the positive propaganda of hESCR, to get taxpayer support for a state program that unbeknown to them has had a track record of funding primarily adult stem cell research at 95%.
I find it immoral for New Jersey to tout the promise of hESCR and then turn around and use funds that the public expects where intended for hESCR, to cultivate adult stem cell research in New Jersey instead.
For patients groups and establishment democrats to actively be promoting what is fundamentally an adult stem cell program under the guise of it being for human embryonic stem cell research, is hypocrtical and playing into the hands of the Pro-lifers because their message all along has been: we don't need hESCR.
Resorting to the highly unethical use of celebrities and patients who people identify as pro-hESCR, to essentially promote such an almost entirely adult stem cell research program is beyond believe!
For more details on the New Jersey Stem Cell Program, please read this front page article in Science Progress:
Garden State Deceptions: Behind the Scenes in the NJ Stem Cell Program
Here is an excerpt:
The first tell-tale sign that New Jersey’s current focus is primarily directed toward umbilical cord stem cell and other adult stem cell research came, with the issuance in December 2005 of two grants (at $350,000 apiece) to the Ellie Katz Umbilical Cord Blood Program and the Coriell Institute for Medical Research to create the nation’s first public cord and placental blood bank for stem cell research.
This was followed in 2006 with the allocation of $270 million in state support to build and equip five stem cell centers, four of which are solely dedicated to adult stem cell research. One of the four stem cell centers is set to perform umbilical cord stem cell clinical trials. New Jersey also awarded two grants of $250,000 each to two researchers developing standard operating procedures for umbilical cord stem cell clinical trials.
Please note, I am not against adult stem cell research such as research on umbilical cord blood stem cells. They just don't hold as much promise for the treatment of paralysis.
Michael J Fox in his radio message is heard saying
"NJ residents will be asked to do something that President Bush won't do, fund stem cell research"
Hmmmm, Bush won't fund umbilical cord blood stem cell research? That's new to me.........
It's really scandalous to use the positive message of human embryonic stem cell research, that activists like myself and Michael J. Fox have worked so hard to attain, to trick voters into funding adult stem cell research.
PS. Back in 2004, my son and I were on stage with Michael J Fox campaigning for human embryonic stem cell research. See here:
http://www.sptimes.com/...
I'm really saddened, that NJ is neglecting human embryonic stem cell research, and that many patient groups are going along with it, in order to support establishment democrats.