In January, Michele Bachmann released one of her usual press releases with accompanying photo-op. This time she was touting her participation in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s Walk to Cure Diabetes. While there was an excellent letter written to the Woodbury Bulletin pointing out the inconsistencies between Bachmann rhetoric and Bachmann actions, there is some recent evidence arising that bears revisiting this story.What that letter didn't point out was that the very foundation Bachmann purports to support and walk for is an advocate of stem cell research. Visiting this site, you can find their policy statement and links to the role call vote which shows Michele Bachmann voting against HR 3 (The Stem Cell Enhancement Act of 2007).
In addition to stem cell research, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation advocated for the passage of HR 3162 (Children's Health and Medicare Protection). While Bachmann slips into her release that she supported the SCHIP bill, what she leaves out are the four votes against the expanded funding of SCHIP which was advocated by the JDRP.
To top off our list of Bachmann inconsistencies in rhetoric vs. action is her obvious absence in a third bill advocated for and supported by the JDRP. HR 2762 reauthorizes special diabetes programs for Indians and currently has 238 co-sponsors. Michele Bachmann is not one of those co-sponsors.
Hopefully, someone at this walk pointed out to Michele that true support of the foundation really ought to be in supporting at least some of its legislative goals for a cure. Otherwise, her walk and subsequent photo-op look a lot like HYPOCRISY.
In recent news, a study done in California has found that they were able to create insulin producing cells from stem cells which could yield a limitless supply for diabetes sufferers. Unfortunately, Bachmann continues to be opposed to such research and thus is a hindrance to a cure rather than an advocate for a cure.
Cross Posted on Dump BachmannResearchers Use Embryonic Stem Cells to Treat Diabetes
Study in Mice Shows Promise; Hurdles Remain
By AUDREY GRAYSON
ABC News Medical UnitFeb. 20, 2008—
Doctors may be one step closer to using stem cells to cure diabetes, according to a new study by researchers at the stem cell engineering company Novacell, Inc. in San Diego who report that they managed to convert human embryonic stem cells into insulin-producing cells.
Insulin is the chemical produced in the pancreas that allows the body to regulate blood-sugar levels and it is precisely the substance that many of those with diabetes lack.
The researchers, who reported their findings in the journal Nature Biotechnology, found that when they injected these human cells into diabetic mice, the treatment alleviated diabetes in the rodents.
According to Dr. Emmanuel Baetge, primary study investigator and chief scientific officer at Novocell, Inc., the new technique used by his team will provide doctors with a bulk supply of clean, uncontaminated insulin-secreting cells for use in diabetes patients.
1 Response to "Bachmann Will Walk But Not Help Cure Diabetes"
I agree with your observation. It is a bit hypocritical when one does not support federal funding for embryonic stem cell research to show up at an event for the sole purpose of covering your political bases.
That being said, what is most interesting about your post is the article following it. I would have thought, given the rhetoric, that embryonic stem cell research wasn't proceeding as planned. Yet, what we find is that private companies are more than happy to invest the needed dollars and make the needed discoveries. While the private sector (like the government) is not all bells and whistles, the question is whether or not this research can be accomplished without an infusion of controversial monies. This article (as well as the test-case of the human genome project) demonstrates that it can.