Posted by Sue on December 06, 1997 at 11:50:21:
In Reply to: Re: alternate approach? posted by Charlie L. on December 06, 1997 at 09:52:54:
Charlie,
The JDF is doing what all charitable organizations should be doing. Isn't it sad that the majority of charitable organizations have gotten so far off the track that a group that actually does what it tells people it is doing gets special recognition?
My point about peer review is that it seems in the past, and Mulvihill seemed to indicate to me that this is going to change, people were making decisions about islet research who had some very false information about it. Here is part of a Dec.11/96 letter I wrote to him:
"Thank you for taking the time to respond to my letter. I also received a phone call from Bonnie Jackson, Terry's wife. I have a few comments to make regarding both communications.
Mrs. Jackson had talked to Dr. Hans-Michael Dosch, JDF Canada Chair of Research, regarding Dr. Sun's research, after receiving my letter. Dr. Dosch told her that a monkey's autoimmune system is not comparable to that of a human's, and therefore his work was invalid. His work, she was told, would only be valid if he could accomplish the same results with rats. I find it hard to believe that the Canadian Chair of Research would not know that Dr. Sun had also reversed the effects of diabetes in rats. Was he, therefore, deliberately trying to mislead Mrs. Jackson? In your letter to me, you stated that JDF will continue to support the best peer-reviewed research it can. Dr. Sun's peers have a lot to lose should a cure be found for diabetes. Are they therefore able to make objective recommendations regarding funding for cure research? Dr. Dosch certainly seems to be having difficulty in this area."
I think JDF has made changes because there are many people who began to seriously question the way things were being done. When things are questioned, problems that were maybe overlooked before can be examained, and if necessary, changes made. We are all in this together and my concerns are as valid as yours. I take the time to express my concerns. They may be wrong, and if they are, so be it. I am not the type of person, however, who can sit back and do nothing. (Except when it comes to report cards. These postings the past couple of days are avoidance techniques. I really need to get my report cards done!!)