The Story of CPRIT, Part 6: Reactions

There has been a lot of dismay in Texas as all this has become public (with the word "cronyism" being mentioned very frequently). As the Houston Chronicle asked in May: Why is CPRIT even funding commercial enterprises? Didn't voters expect the bond money to support research?[Answer: Voters did, and there was no mention of commercialization in the ballot measure. Legislators did get language about commercialization into the enabling legislation, however.] Newspapers and bloggers have not been happy with what is going on. Nor have some former supporters. Cathy Bonner, a cancer survivor and activist who had worked hard to get the agency established, said succinctly: The vision was to make Texas the center for curing cancer. It wasn't to make Texas the center for capitalizing on cancer.But those in power show few signs of giving ground. After the resignations in October, a joint letter from the governor, lieutenant governor and speaker of the House urged more commercialization:It is now time for CPRIT to take further steps to fulfill its statutory mission and expedite innovation that will deliver new cancer treatments to patients within three to five years.In an October appearance at CPRIT, Perry stated:Since CPRIT's creation, you all have helped lay a sound foundation to establish one of the greatest cancer-fighting tools in human history. The challenge that remains before us is to build on that foundation and finally begin curing cancer once and for all. As The Cancer Lett...
Source: Health Care Renewal - Category: Health Medicine and Bioethics Commentators Source Type: blogs