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the Stem Cell Page time and ignorance are the enemies |
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Anti-Cure Voices: On the record, unified and wrong |
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February 20, 2007
I want to begin by extending kudos and thanks to my stem cell friend Don Reed, who didn’t allow this important data to go unnoticed. A list of groups comprising the politically active Anti-Cures faction can be found in a Legislative Bulletin provided by Republican Study Committee chaired by Representative Jeb Hensnarling of Texas. The list is unchanged since its original report in May of 2005. Here’s the list:
National Right to Life Committee US Conference of Catholic Bishops Family Research Council Christian Coalition Concerned Women for America Focus on the Family Christian Medical Association Eagle Forum Traditional Values Coalition Southern Baptist Convention Susan B. Anthony List Republican National Committee for Life Cornerstone Policy Research Culture of Life Foundation Religious Freedom Coalition Coral Ridge Ministries Center For Reclaiming America
What we find here is an amalgamation of religious and anti-abortion groups that manifest as a political borg. Notably, however, the list is devoid of even one medical society, contains not one medical association, not one medical research institution, not one medical school, not one patient advocacy group and not one disease foundation or disease-specific charity. Not one.
On the other hand, about 500 of these reputable organizations are on the record in support of embryonic stem cell research. Adding the Pro-Cures religious and political advocacy groups swells the list to nearly 600. [Well, 591 to be exact. These were entered into the record by Tom Harkin of Iowa when the Senate debated HR810 in 2006. The Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research (CAMR) sent the list to President Bush, urging him to reconsider his threatened veto.]
We should take pause to ask why a heavily skewed Pro-Cures majority should struggle so hard to reflect their overwhelming proportion in Congress. Conversely, how can the minority, whose views are so out of touch with the considered judgment of most Americans, let alone the scientific research community, speak with so powerful a voice?
I’ve written before on their ability to organize the grassroots, their 30 year head start and their financial strength. I’ve noted their ability to deliver a unified message, which is the core of their success. When the Anti-Cures movement has something to say, it gets said. Over and over and over again. From the sermons of Jerry Falwell to the literature of Right to Life, from the writings of James Dobson to the broadcasts of Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh and stacked discussion panels assembled on the ‘Fox Noise Network.’
Being truthful - or even accurate - is given less importance than being consistent. How many times have we heard or read references to the ’65 diseases successfully treated by adult stem cells?’ Even though the list was debunked in mid-2006, the Anti-Cures groups continue to tout it as fact—and they do so in unison. Sadly, because they are consistent, persistent and repetitious, people believe it.
More recently, news broke about the discovery of stem cells in amniotic fluid. It took a few days before Dr. Anthony Atala, the researcher who headed the amniotic stem cell study at Wake Forest, explained that their discovery was in no way a replacement for the power of embryonic stem cells. But before his comments became public, the Anti-Cures communications machine had already filled the print and broadcast media with inaccurate, undocumented spin purporting the discovery of these cells is reason to ignore the potential of embryonic stem cells.
For instance, David Prentice (yes, the very same guy who authored that debunked list of “65 conditions successfully treated by adult stem cells”) had this to say about amniotic stem cells on CNN’s The Situation Room:
“You do away with the ethical problems associated with embryonic stem cells, but you get all of the positives that most scientists say they want.”
All the positives? That’s wrong, of course. And more wrong was showcasing Prentice solely as a scientist while omitting he’s a paid political mouthpiece - a “hackademic” - of the Family Research Council, which is anything but a scientific organization.
Fortunately, the watchdog group Media Matters was paying attention. Here’s the opening paragraph of their report:
“While reporting on a study released January 7 that found stem cells could be derived from amniotic fluid, CNN correspondent Mary Snow equated researcher David A. Prentice, Ph.D., senior fellow of life sciences at the conservative Family Research Council, with ‘other scientists’ who ‘argue that embryonic stem cells are unique and hold the power to potentially cure many diseases.’ Snow did identify Prentice as an ‘opponent’ of stem cell research, but did not note that, to argue against embryonic stem cell research, he has repeatedly claimed that adult stem cell research has yielded some 65 current therapies for various ailments, and has created a discredited list of diseases that he claims adult stem cell therapy currently treats. Nor did Snow note that among the scientists who disagree that the study might obviate embryonic stem cells was the study's author himself.”
Prentice’s wholly inaccurate spin ultimately made its way into the HR3 debate in Congress despite Dr. Atala’s letter to the contrary, which was entered into the record.
It’s unlikely that the Pro-Cures movement will ever break the opposition’s communications network, but we can counter by building a larger, stronger network of our own. We must tap the potential of patients, and those caring people who know someone suffering from a currently incurable condition and get them as passionate about advancing the research as our opposition is about saving medical waste from the ‘horrible abuse’ of finding cures. Most importantly, we must speak with one well informed voice, distributed through all available channels to reach both the public and our elected officials.
Meanwhile, David Prentice and the rest of the Anti-Cures faction continue to forge their campaign of misinformation while betting on an absence of an effectively unified counter from us. Regrettably, we’ve allowed them to thrive on this void for far too long and it’s time to put a stop to it.
Do you know someone who suffers from one of those diseases or injuries? Are you one of those people? Do you belong to an organization looking to find a cure for that condition?
If so, ask that organization if they’ve become a partner of the Stem Cell Action Network. If they answer ‘no,’ convince them to join. It will help to unify and deliver the Pro-Cures message from the grassroots.
- Jeff Eisen
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