Stem Cell Research



John, a good friend and surgical specialist, offered incredible insight into the current administration's change regarding stem cell research.  Blowing through all the political rhetoric on the topic, Dr. John identified the real significance of the new rule allowing for embryonic stem cell research.  

The new stem cell laws now allow the federal government to actually fund that research.  More federal money for medical research?

Dr. John was kind enough to provide me with data on the track record for government funded medical research.  The numbers stunned me.



The Physician's Desk Reference (PDR) is the medical bible of all proscribable drugs in the United States.  In 1950, the PDR was a 428 page book.  After nearly 60 years, the book now contains more than 3,000 pages of FDA approved drugs, and weighs nearly 8 pounds!

In that same 60 year period, Dr. John pointed out that medical research has developed nearly 16,000 new drugs for American Health Care.  Of those 16,000 discoveries, guess how many were developed through government funded research.

    If you guessed 1,600 (or 10%) you are too high.
    If you guessed 800 (or 5%) you are still too high.

The US government, after 60 years of research, has contributed exactly 84 drugs to America's medical research base.  By contrast, the free market system; funded with free-market investment dollars, has provided the remaining 15,916 discoveries.

And now the government wants to take over the rest of our health care system. 

Based on the Government's track record for medical research, the PDR will become but a pamphlet.

 

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