Re: Government vs. Private research

[will johnston <johnston@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

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From: Michel Margosis <michelmarg@xxxxxxxxx>
To: Multiple recipients of list PARKINSN <PARKINSN@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: Government vs. Private research
Date: Thursday, June 25, 1998 11:22 PM

Flemco- wrote:
>
> Dear List Members,
>
> I think it is important we address the issue of private industry vs.
> government funded research.  I still stick by original question: when has
the government ever cured anything?
>
> Some have said the government must take on research responsibilities
because private industry can not be trusted to pursue it.  Because private
industry could not be trusted to develop a cure that would put them out of
the business of selling drugs, the government must intervene.
>
> Did anybody explain this logic to Jonas Salk?  According to Encarta at
the height of the polio epidemic in 1952 there were 50,000+ cases
> annually(sounds like PD) in a population base probably half today's
numbers.> He and Sabin did not become millionaires by curing 50,000 people.
 They effectively eliminated the disease.

                          ******************
Yes!  The Sabin vaccine was far too expensive to produce to warrant its
widespread use.  The Sabin "sugar cube" would never replace the Salk shot..
Then the Soviets got involved. Their government sponsored research in
government institutions figured out a way to produce the Sabin vaccine at a
much lower cost than the Salk vaccine.  Governments need to work together
as well.  Eldepryl was developed in Hungary during its Communist period.

Much of the PD research has been government sponsored and carried out in
government institutions. We thank anyone who helps out in this universal
endeavor.


Will Johnnston
A.P.D.A. DelMarVA Chapter Pres.
4049 Oakland School Road
Salisbury MD 21804 USA 410-543-0110