Posted by Al Gordon on June 06, 1999 at 22:59:15:
In Reply to: JDF posted by Mary E. on June 06, 1999 at 22:25:36:
I agree than in 1994, it was hard to tell JDF from ADA. The research projects they funded had little to do with curing diabetes, and a lot to do with rewarding the same inner circle of researchers. However, this was not the result of some insidious agenda on the part of the JDF volunteers or committee members. Virtually all those people have diabetes in their families, and they certainly had nothing to gain by bankrolling repetitive or unproductive research. I think the problem was the total lack of leadership, not the motives of the people involved.
Things are somewhat different today at JDF. Bob Goldstein is a strong individual (I'll show you my bruises), and is not easily pushed around by researchers skilled in the art of selling to laypersons. I would not have used donors' money in exactly the same way as JDF, but the level of improvement is undeniable.
Sorry Mary, but I really think you are way over the top on this one.
Having said that, however, I do wonder why JDF funded the human islet banking program. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, even if this program is 100% successful, it will only be able to treat a tiny fraction of people with diabetes. I asked before if anyone from JDF had any specific answers on this one, but we still have not heard anything.
It's great that you support DRI, but it doesn't require the demonization of another organization to justify your decision.
Al