Superman died.

[c0rbin]

I still don't understand the cynicism here.

 

[crimresearch]

Yes, he could. But does waiting until *after* he had his accident make his campaigning less important and useful?

Perhaps it even made more impact than a fully-fit person campaigning, who knows?

I certainly don't know...but I'm not going to disagree with my friend either...

When a celebrity is visited with some personal tragedy, they have every right to handle it as best they can...but I can see the resentment on the part of those who didn't get on TV, or into the White House to talk about the same problem before someone famous gave it entre, or even cachet.

'If spinal cord injuries were such an important problem, why weren't there gala fundraisers and such before a movie star was stricken?', seems to be the sentiment as I understand it.

 

[BPSCG]

There's an episode of South Park where Christopher Reeve finds that killing babies and drinking their blood gives him back full mobility. The effect is only temporary, though, so he goes through the entire episode killing babies and drinking their blood.

I don't think we'll see that episode broadcast ever again.

 

[thaiboxerken]

It's an unfortunate fact that many people value the words, "wisdom", and accomplishments of celebritries over "regular" people. I think it has more to do with knowing the name and face of the celebrity over a normal person.

Joe Schmoe, a regular guy that has no injuries, speaking about spinal injuries doesn't appeal to the same emotions as Christopher "Superman" Reeve, who is injured and most people recognize.

 

[thaiboxerken]

There's an episode of South Park where Christopher Reeve finds that killing babies and drinking their blood gives him back full mobility. The effect is only temporary, though, so he goes through the entire episode killing babies and drinking their blood.

I don't think we'll see that episode broadcast ever again.

Oh, I think it'll be broadcast. It wasn't a vicious attack on the man, really.

 

[Segnosaur]

Reeve was a key speaker and political activist speaking for and fighting for embrionic stem cell research. Is that bad? Is it bad that he was fighting for a way to get himself and others cured? Is it bad that there have been several medical breakthroughs because of his political activism?

I don't want to look down on Christopher Reeves.... just wondering though: have there really been any major breakthroughs with embrionic stem cells? (I know that many have been made with adult stem cells.)

Also, was he pushing for just Embrionic stem cell research, or all stem cell research?

 

[thaiboxerken]

I don't want to look down on Christopher Reeves.... just wondering though: have there really been any major breakthroughs with embrionic stem cells? (I know that many have been made with adult stem cells.)

Also, was he pushing for just Embrionic stem cell research, or all stem cell research?

Not sure if there have been any breakthroughs in embrionic stem cell research, since it's rather hard to do without the embrios. We can thank Bush for that.

Also, I think Reeve was pushing to open up all means of research, including all stem-cell research.

 

[Segnosaur]

Not sure if there have been any breakthroughs in embrionic stem cell research, since it's rather hard to do without the embrios. We can thank Bush for that.

First of all, Bush didn't necessarily stop all Embryonic stem cell research, he just stopped federal funding. Private organizations can still do research.

Secondly, there are other countries in the world where such stem cells can be used.

I have no problem with embryonic stem cells being used. However, I realize that research dollars are going to be limited, and resources must be used that give the best results. I figure if Embryonic stem cells had that much potential, there should have been some major break thoughs SOMEWHERE, even if the U.S. government wasn't funding the research directly.

 

[thaiboxerken]

First of all, Bush didn't necessarily stop all Embryonic stem cell research, he just stopped federal funding. Private organizations can still do research.

The reasons he stopped federal funding are rather weak. Stopping the funding also cripples the research.

Secondly, there are other countries in the world where such stem cells can be used.

I didn't realize we were talking about other countries.

I have no problem with embryonic stem cells being used. However, I realize that research dollars are going to be limited, and resources must be used that give the best results.

I think resources should be used for programs that are more promising.

I figure if Embryonic stem cells had that much potential, there should have been some major break thoughs SOMEWHERE, even if the U.S. government wasn't funding the research directly. [/B]

There is progress being made in the forward direction.

http://www.healthfinder.gov/news/newsstory.asp?docID=521578

 

[Mr Manifesto]

Ok, we have a different sense of humour, apparentely.



So, you find objectable that a person in a case of personal dificulty uses all it's assets in search for a solution?

Imagine this scenario:
You have a serious illness, and you fin out that there was a better treatment somewhere abroad.
Would you refrain from using your money to get it just because before you hadn't sponsored the treatment of another patient?

Because that's what you're advocating here.

Okay... Put down the crack pipe, and step away slowly. Now, I want you to promise me that you'll never smoke it again, because you obviously can't handle the effects. I 'advocated' no such thing. If a treatment exists, by all means use your money to get it. Just don't tell me about it.

Reeve, of course, wasn't trying to get some magic treatment that wasn't available in the US. He was 'raising awareness' about being a quadraplegic. And he had zero to add to the discourse, unless you count 'being a quadraplegic sucks even if you're a celebrity!' a meaningful issue.

If a person happens to be famous and uses it's fame in a self-serving way, I have no problem with it.

Good for you.

If the self-serving way ends up aiding countless anonymous others, I'm very happy for it.

I'm so happy for you.

Reeve's death was a tragedy, not bigger, not smaller than any other we never hear about... just different. With is death an important voice for the advance of medical science was silenced.

I mourn for that.

That's funny. He's done nothing to advance medical science.

 

[thaiboxerken]

That's funny. He's done nothing to advance medical science.

He's raised funding and volunteered his efforts.

 

[Jon_in_london]

Are we going to start a thread for every dead cripple or just those who were movies stars?

 

[thaiboxerken]

Just the one's we admire.

 

[Jon_in_london]

Just the one's we admire.

ie. movie stars.

People just as deserving -if not more so- die and pass completely un-noticed by the public who only give a sh!t if you are either rich or famous or preferably both.

 

[thaiboxerken]

ie. movie stars.

People just as deserving -if not more so- die and pass completely un-noticed by the public who only give a sh!t if you are either rich or famous or preferably both.

And your point is? Why should I give a rat's ass about someone I never heard of?

 

[BPSCG]

Oh, I think it'll be broadcast. It wasn't a vicious attack on the man, really.

You're right. It just depicted him killing babies, drinking their blood, and going insane in the process. Rather flattering, actually.

What would you call a vicious attack?

Note: It was hilarious...

 

[thaiboxerken]

You're right. It just depicted him killing babies, drinking their blood, and going insane in the process. Rather flattering, actually.

And absurd.

What would you call a vicious attack?

The Maddox article about Reeve.

 

[Segnosaur]

The reasons he stopped federal funding are rather weak. Stopping the funding also cripples the research.

I agree, his reasoning is weak. My concern is that people will become fixated on embrionic stem cells when other lines of research end up having more of an impact.

I didn't realize we were talking about other countries.

Well, "other countries" are important when we talk about total worldwide funding.

If worldwide we spend (lets say) $1 billion and get 10 breakthroughs for adult stem cells, even if we spend only $500 million on embryonic stem cells worldwide, you'd expect approximately 5 breakthroughs.

I figure if Embryonic stem cells had that much potential, there should have been some major break thoughs SOMEWHERE, even if the U.S. government wasn't funding the research directly.

There is progress being made in the forward direction.

http://www.healthfinder.gov/news/newsstory.asp?docID=521578

Hmmm... an interesting 'start', but so far they've been talking about the wonderful potential, but without pointing to successes. And this line kind of stuck out at me: Even successful animal experiments continue to report tumor growth, host-source incompatibility or rejection and perplexing anomalies.. So, they will be able to cure your altzhiemers, but give you brain cancer in the process...

 

[thaiboxerken]

Research does involve many trials and errors.

Did you notice the part about the limitations of adult stem-cells?

 

[Segnosaur]

Research does involve many trials and errors.

Did you notice the part about the limitations of adult stem-cells?

Yes I did. I've also seen articles that show they're getting around many of the limitations... adult stem cells have shown a lot more versatility than at first thought.