Shoutbox

Can I be the token sceptic here? (Yes, I do realise im about to be hated by the whole Messenger Plus! community...)



First of all, I have no objections to this project, and I do commend all of you who have shown a heart of gold and have been generous enough to provide a service that is likely to better mankind in one way or another. If there were more people like yourselves, the world would be a better place.


But I do have my (personal) reservations. Athough projects like these are intended for saving lives, the amount of money pumped into them can be so great compared to the relative benefits. There are more important ways (in my view) that can save more lives, and cheaper in both the short- and long-term.

Although cancer is a big killer, and its prevalence makes it a factor in many families, it is actually curable in most cases. Even breast cancer, a scourge amongst young and middle-aged females, can be simply teated with good prognostic indicators.

Its all about finding it quickly enough.

If the money that is used in this project was instead used in public heath and educational projects, the number of lives saved would be, frankly, phenomenal. And you wouldnt be saving this generation, but that generation's children and so forth.


Theres a couple of ethical issues about these projects too. Firstly, the idea of treating cancer rather than preventing it promotes a lifestyle/culture that doesnt consider the consequences of its actions. I almost sends out a signal that we should do/dont do X/Y/Z and put ourselves at risk, and have it all treated afterwards. I must emphasise here, thinking about that statement more, that I am most certainly not saying that those that have died of cancer are at fault in any way, but if there was more insight into cancer, people would (for example) see the warning signs earlier, or reduce their risks of getting the cancer in the first place.

Although I appreciate that the project will help to understand the mechanics of cancer better (and so help in cancer prevention), this is not where the money is, and so it would be unprofitible for the institutions to follow that route too far.

Another problem is that these projects do indirectly, and invariably, divert resourses away from arguably more beneficial projects. The political impact that can be gained by having thousands of members of the public can be quite great: noone would dare stop a project that has great public support, regardless of viability.

Also, the main beneficiaries of this type of project will be the pharmaceutical companies. The profits that anti-cancer drugs would make would be huge. I dont have anything against the pharmaceutical industry per se, but our finances are ultimately going into a private business rather than within the heath care institutions.

Another point argues by some at present is the idea of preventing cell mutations in the body. Mutations are what drives evolution, and what makes you and me different. The idea of being able to control this ourselves worry some, as it would be another indicator for preventing further variety in humans, and also a continuation of the "designer baby" field of thought.


Anyway, im not trying to flame what is a well-meaning project. Its just I wish we could prioritise our efforts more. I just feel we could save more lives in other ways.


As I say, this is likely to be a minority view, and ill wait for the associated criticism. Bear in mind that this is not an opinion that represents the medical establishment, just very much a personal view, which is also not out to tell anyone that they are "right or wrong".

Im just probably bitter because I work in a "non-fashionable" field of medicine (mental health), which causes just as much grief and mortality as cancer does, but doesnt get these revolutionary projects. Similarly I see so many cancer institutions built (with pharmaceutical sponsership), and I have to fight to keep our decaying psychiatric hospital from being closed down.



Hm, sorry about the huge post (read: rant), I didnt realise this was going to happen. Still, I would commend you to join if you have a strong feeling about the project, or about fighting cancer in general.




[Conflict of interest: Stupid man who shouldnt have posted this in the first place]