Funding Research - Dilemma

[parentsofk]

Our daughter, Katherine, now 5 1/2, was diagnosed at 13 months. She uses a Deltec Cozmore.

The question of diabetes research is a tough one for us specifically because of Embryonic Stem Cell Research (ESCR). (I'm, happy to follow up with anyone interested in why we hold that position, but won't go into that here.)

JDRF, for example, supports tons of fantastic research initiatives, which we could happily support, and does tons of excellent stuff/advocacy etc. But they also strongly supports ESCR, and actively lobby congress for the expansion of federal funding for it. We just can't go along with this.

Does anyone know of a diabetes research organization that does not support Embryonic Stem Cell Research? Otherwise we will probably look into supporting specific research initiatives directly.

Thanks!

Paul

[Amy C.]

Hopefully Jeff will follow-up with an affirmation or correction. There is a foundation associated with this website called Diabetes123.com. This foundation provides funding for diabetes research that does not include embroynic stell cells.

Check out this web site for more information: http://www.cwdfoundation.org/InvestingInACure.htm

[Nancy in VA]

This is also a dillema that I face. But, the research the JDRF directly participates in, as best as I can see, does not use Embryonic Stem Cells. I can take some comfort in that.

[Pavlos]

If one privately feels that certain scientific research fronts are at odds with his or her personal religious, spiritual, and supernatural beliefs, he or she has my full respect.

However I have absolutely no respect for politicians who hamper scientific progress so as to cater votes from certain pressure groups based on their religious, spiritual, and supernatural beliefs Theological dogma and science are two different things!

[Nancy in VA]

Originally Posted by Pavlos

If one privately feels that certain scientific research fronts are at odds with his or her personal religious, spiritual, and supernatural beliefs, he or she has my full respect.

However I have absolutely no respect for politicians who hamper scientific progress so as to cater votes from certain pressure groups based on their religious, spiritual, and supernatural beliefs Theological dogma and science are two different things!

I don't really believe that those politicians that are against federal funding for Embryonic Stem Cell research are doing it to cater votes from certain pressure groups. I believe that they are basing their decision on their personal fundamental political and religious beliefs, which was, in many cases, why they were elected.

[Jeff]

The Children with Diabetes Foundation (www.cwdfoundation.org) funds research related to a cure for type 1 but does not fund anything related to embryonic stem cells.

The CWDF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and is separate from CWD (www.childrenwithdiabetes.com).

If you are interested in donating to cure-related research but do not want to fund ESCR, the CWDF is a good choice.

To donate, see:

http://www.cwdfoundation.org/MakeDonation.htm

[hypercarmona]

I've got all my hopes (and donation money) pinned on the folks doing research on encapsulating pig islet cells, like LCT, MicroIslet and now the Spring Point Project. I personally feel that we'll see a viable long term treatment from xenotransplantation way before anything will come from any type of stem cell research. It still might be a few years (decades) down the road, but I feel it's closer nonetheless.

[parentsofk]

Thanks everyone for your responses.

By the way, JDRF does fund ESCR.

This is from Testimony By Dr. Robert Goldstein, Chief Scientific Officer of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International (JDRF) Regarding Adult Stem Cell Research Before the Senate Commerce Committee Subcommittee on Science, Technology and Space, July 14, 2004:

In Fiscal year 2004, JDRF commitments in the area of stem cell research total $8.2 million. Of this amount, $6.3 million is spent in the area of embryonic stem cell research and less than $2 million is spent on other areas of stem cell research, including adult stem cells.
(http://www.jdrf.org/index.cfm?page_id=101655)

That was 2004, but I'm sure they're still actively funding it. (I'm not here to badmouth JDRF by the way - they look like they're fantastic in every other respect.)

Thanks again!

[Nancy in VA]

Thanks for the info - parentsofk

[Ellen]

While the Diabetes Research Institute does fund some ESC research, you can earmark any donation to go to whatever aspect of their research you would specifically like to fund. So, for example, if you wanted to fund genetic research done by Dr. Elizabeth Fenjves, you could direct your donation to go to her lab. http://www.diabetesresearch.org/Foundation/drifmain.htm