Proposal would cut cancer institute budget again

[mts]

Hi-

I would like to mention that the NCI is not the only organization receiving funds- There are dozens of not-for-profit cancer organizations doing their part too. Many private donations are not counted in the overall cancer bank.

Keep in mind the army (through the Dept of Defense -DOD) allocates over $120 million dollars annually to combat specific cancers (Breast, ovarian, colon). These funds are for research for succesful applicants in our nation's cancer centers and teaching hospitals. All money does not go to the microscope end of things, rather to pay the graduate student that spends an entire year focused on a specific project, or the department that needs equipment to enhance its technology in order to better study new cancer treatments...etc...

Only 15 applicants out of 65 regarding new breast cancer research were funded out of the DOD. Not because of lack of funding, but because these were the only ones that showed innovation. So, instead of some universities getting funds that were going nowhere, the places that showed technologic improvement got the bucks. Money well spent.

Money is tight- but I would rather have the Fed control the dollars by scrutinizing the fund requestor than just open the flood gates and waste the funds on useless causes or projects that have been studied to death yet present themselves again under new titles. This happens ALL THE TIME.

I know some things can be done better- and improvements have been made- but just throwing money at a problem really does not make the problem go away. Imagine where we would be if only ONE got the money- the competition would be fierce and we would be closer to a cure.


Maria (MTS)

[Heart Sutra]

Hi,

Well, yes there are other organizations that receive funding for research, not-for-profits are needed, a neccessity, now more than ever. Repetition in studies that have long since come to reasonable conclusion does exist, but these rarities are not what is being talked about here.

I can't imagine thinking an administration that repeatedly cuts funding for health and human services can even be remotely thought of as opening the flood-gates. This administration only finds floodgate switches for things that benefit... well you know the rest.

It gets worse, Bush signed an executive order that puts a political appointee into decisive roles of government offices dealing with Health, Safety, Environment, and (surprise) Civil Rights and Privacy. (N.Y. Times 1/29/07)
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/30/wa...er&oref=slogin

This means that where once upon a time all of these issues were influenced by civil servants and scientific experts, now the influence comes from someone who will promote this president's priorities in lieu of pesky evidence and facts that lead to opposing positions (for those of you who don't know his priorities, trust that you are not one of them) What do you think that will mean for all of us?
This is the most embarrassing regime...uh, administration, that we've ever soiled ourselves with.

So, count on more cuts, less research, don't dream of innovations or even mention (gasp!) certain cells, ...and wave that flag.

Only 720 days left....

http://www.backwardsbush.com/

Most Sincerely,
Kevin

(off to write to Hillary)