In other news...

Just before leaving the States for Asia I had heard a report of how countries in Asia are leading the way in stem cell research and treatment of a variety of diseases. The report I heard actually referenced how the Hawaian singer Don Ho had come to Thailand for a new treatment (2005) not approved in the U.S. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10384314/

While on line I found that the Chinese have been developing stem cell therapies for neuo-muscular diseases as well.

http://www.stemcellschina.com/

(I have sent an email of inquiry and am looking forward to hearing back from them.)

I have long since grown tired of the blind arrogance of many of my fellow Americans in their (frequently) uninformed and inexperienced insistence that the U.S. is the first, best and only source of all that is good or cutting edge in all aspects of life.

This provides yet another example of how backward and parochial the U.S. and some of its citizens can be. While one of the minor points of argument in the last election was whether or not stem cell research was worthy of public funding (based more on the ignorance of Christian extremists than on the hard science), Asian countries are becoming destinations of choice for Americans who don't want to be consigned to unnecessarily prolonged pain, suffering and premature death by means of the Christian Fatwa and the cowardice of the politicians.

This is not simply a philisophical issue. In addition to being an ethical issue it is also an economic issue. The fact that America is behind the curve on this (as well as other areas) of medical science is a further indication that we are well on our way to second world nation status.

For those interested in making your support for stem cell research known, check out the link below, all sorts of t-shirts, bumber stickers, coffee cups and other nifty stuff.

Stem Cell Research


Financial Disclosure: If you see something you like here and buy it, these folks will send me a few dimes.

Make a statement and help a mutant.
It just doesn't get any better than that.