American's Contemporary Medical/Scientific Dark Age Inquisition

By Faith Chatham - Dec. 10, 2018
I read that Trump is quietly reducing HIV research. We have faced Republican controlled Congress transferring funding from Ebola research and treatment programs. I wonder how much less suffering we would have in this country if right wing religious zealots who lack the brain cells to understand the Bibles they thump had not controlled this nation's political rhetoric and succeeded in blocking stem cell research and treatment for three decades! Other countries (many with much smaller GNP's) are far ahead of us in treating spinal cord, bone, respiratory and other chronic illnesses with stem cells than we are. If stem cell research had been able to proceed, we would probably be less dependent upon big pharma! Instead of having to be on medication regularly, many individuals would probably have had their bodies regenerate damaged cells and much less time would have been lost from work and school and community service and recreation.

Too many treatments and cures which have YEARS of success in other countries are still classified as experimental in the USA. This nation is currently living in a contemporary dark-ages from politically motivated denial and ignorance.

One of the more costly diseases to treat is diabetes. Some forms have been demonstrated to be CURED by a specific form of stomach bypass surgery if performed within a specific number of years of diagnosis. However, in the USA that is not an approved treatment for diabetes here even though it is available and proven in most European countries. Over time the cost for insulin - not to mention amputation - is much greater than the surgery but most Americans cannot afford the cost of the surgery without assistance from insurance.

I have a friend whose husband works for the state of PA which "self-insures." She has had to have two partial amputation on her toes which could have been avoided if her insurance company had approved the stomach by-pass. They tried to scrape together enough money for her to go on "medical tourism" within the time-frame for a cure to get the by-pass but were not able to afford it.

Americans should not have to attempt to travel to other countries to get quality appropriate medical care. Politicians influenced by America's equivalent of the Taliban (mid-western evangelical pastors) should not dictate what scientific /medical procedure works and is appropriate for Americans throughout the country.
Ironically, many of those who label themselves pro-life, fight the hardest to prevent treatments which save and extend life and enhance the quality of life by actually assisting bodies to heal.

We look back on the Spanish inquisition and shake our heads. We should be looking at the realities impacting lives right here in our own families and circles of friends!

Fear of change and fear of the unknown is understandable. Imposing outdated practices when there is sufficient evidence of success is not prudent. It is cruel and unnecessary punishment. In contemporary American medicine, it is practiced too frequently and is much too costly.