I will preface with a disclaimer that this is not a political column. That said, there is obviously some correlation between our political landscape and diabetes research, education, awareness and the availability of treatment.
We all know that in recent years the juiciest headlines apportioned to diabetes have involved the stem-cell debate. And for some reason, this debate has broken through the realm of scientific mores (where it belongs) and entered a religious realm (where it does not). I can’t be more disappointed with our political leaders who have allowed this to happen. I should say, I used to be disappointed. There are a few things that have provided some solace to the ignorance that has prevented scientific discovery in American diabetes research. I hope what I have discovered is comforting to my fellow American diabetics.
A few years ago, I was younger and admittedly more naïve. I was not as politically active or savvy as I am now. But I was entirely certain of one thing: George W. Bush was single-handedly responsible for blocking funding for stem-cell research. Regardless of the side of the isle you sit on, W. vetoed legislation passed by Congress to federally fund stem-cell research. That’s a fact. It is not a coincidence that conservative religious politics in a then-republican majority have stymied our meaningful contributions to the effort. How sad, indeed.
President Bush has been in office for eight of my 11 years as a diabetic, so like it or not, he has been a part of my life and my health. I’m used to it, but there is one question I would like to ask our exiting President: “Did you veto that legislation based on a personal religious belief or an educated, fact-based political decision for the benefit of the greatest number?” I think I know the answer, and anyone who doesn’t is in denial.
I was upset about his decision then, mad at him, mad at his supporters (including my parents), and anyone who had been brainwashed by the dangerously influential “religious right”. I was even more upset that the post-veto uproar was not louder. I felt like everyone just sort of let it happen and didn’t fight for so much as a logical explanation from our “stand-alone” President. What little uproar there was seemed to fall on deaf ears. I was listening. Now I’m acting.
I’m no longer mad at President Bush, or his blind-faith followers. Ignorance can be forgiven. I mostly just feel sorry for him/them. I could easily still be furious that he was the sole reason stem-cell research in our country has remained stale and stagnant. He allowed scientific discourse to be influenced by pulpits and tabernacles for reasons still unknown to those millions of us stricken with a chronic illness.
I’ll tell you why I’m not upset anymore. One of my distant in-laws is the retired head of the University of Michigan’s science department. We were having a casual conversation about stem-cell research at a family dinner a few years ago, and he made a point that has resonated with me. I think many of us forget: other industrialized nations are not opposed to funding stem-cell research on a massive level. This research will continue and advance regardless if the America is an influential participant or not.
The countries advancing rapidly in the field (Japan, China, Norway, Sweden, to name a few) are much less likely to allow religious beliefs to become infused into national politics. Instead these nations, and others like them, allow logic and reason to guide national policy, especially concerning scientific frontiers.
Be comforted my diseased friends. While America is not currently the all-star research giant she could be, our scientists have been warming the bench in the international disease battle, and they are ready to join the game. I love our country for that reason. We are resilient, resourceful, powerful and ever-changing. I have not let the ignorance with which it has been run, affect my opinion of her.
Our recent presidential election is certainly a step in the right direction. I am confident that Barack Obama will be a powerful advocate on our side. I do want to be clear that John McCain supports federal funding for stem-cell research also, so regardless of the election’s outcome, we would have had a supporter in the White House. In the least, relieving the current administration of its theocratic agenda against scientific advancement is the best news this diabetic has heard in a long time.
Asking for a diabetic to remain patient and tolerant is like asking my dog to keep chasing tennis balls. It just comes naturally. I’m not worried about our ability to hold out until discoveries are made or breakthroughs are found. We’ve waited this long for piety to subside and scientific ingenuity to reign; we can wait a little longer. It’s just a few thousand more finger pricks and injections, right? We can hope.
