Posted by Robin Harrison on May 03, 1998 at 11:29:14:
In Reply to: Re: Diabetes Research Working Group posted by MAR on May 03, 1998 at 08:42:28:
MAR,
I seem to have pushed a hot button, but can't tell whether it's my statements about the ADA, or the ADA's (lack of?) prioritizing that's invoked your ire. The stated ADA mission is to prevent and cure diabetes, and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. I think they do a fair job on the latter, but I don't believe they do anything to advance the cause of a cure, unless one is satisfied that advocating for massive infusions of funding, and fundraising drives themselves, will bring us one.
The ADA is heavily involved with the NIH/NIDDK, both directly and indirectly, which is why I was surprised to see the names of so few ADA officials on the DRWG roster. Many of the primary investigators in the DCCT trials were ADA doctors, and ADA is a direct contributor to the diabetes "prevention" trials (cough) along with the JDF. Dr. Skyler, the primary investigator in charge of the DPT, is a former ADA President.
Robin