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Peter, my point is that in general you have largely uninformed and untrained people making sweeping generalizations about very complicated subjects. I am not up on the latest ESC research. But I know enough science to understand that it has the potential for significant benefits in a number of areas. Is it the "last great hope" for Parkinsons? I doubt it. There will always be another technology or therapy that comes along. But it is an avenue of research that in my highly trained opinion should be pursued. Unfortunately it has turned into a political football...like so many technologies do.
The other sad fact is that to get a response from people, you have to push the envelope. If MJF went off his meds for the shoot, is that being disingenuous? I suppose you can make that argument, but that in fact is the reality of his disease. When he's on the meds, it doesn't cure the disease. It merely masks the symptoms, making everyone more "comfortable." I think it is more honest in fact for him to be out in public off the meds. People should see what it is really like, and what it will be like in a few years even if he is on his meds. Such is the nature of the disease.
My reason for the original post was my dismay at the either abject cruelty (at worst) or lack of empathy (at best) displayed by Rush. One would think after his pain med debacle that he might have a bit of empathy towards others who suffer. But instead he goes out of his way to try and minimize MJF's symptoms/suffering. And one can tap dance all they want, but that is exactly what Rush did. MJF was not playing up his disease, but rather just showing what his life is like.
When push comes to shove, everything is/can be political. What's funny (or sad) is that many here who scream about ESC research are more than happy to drop nukes for tactical purposes. There is another technology that we pursued under some degree of controversy.
And if anyone has lived through the life and death of a loved one with a neurological disorder, I would be willing to bet that person is more interested in seeing how ESC research plays out, rather than be stymied by politcal foes with a "moral" agenda.
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