Wisconsin Update - NASW Wisconsin Chapter Newsletter
Autumn 2008
By now all of us are aware of Dr. Jamie Thomson’s human embryonic stem cell (hESC) discoveries at the University of Wisconsin. Wisconsin is now considered an international leader in bio-medical research throughout the world. Most health experts agree that Thomson’s discoveries will have a revolutionary impact on how medicine will be practiced in the twenty-first century.
No one should underestimate the potential impact that these discoveries will have on Wisconsin’s economy and on the health and welfare of Wisconsin citizens. Regrettably, to date, unlike in the State of California, there has been little discussion by John Q Public about how best Wisconsin should protect and use this lucrative multi-billion dollar resource.
For example, have you heard any discussion or speculation as to what impact our state’s good fortune could have in terms of our health care crisis and in making life saving and enhancing medications available to our elderly, low income and underserved population? Isn’t this a situation where meaningful revenue sharing between Wisconsin taxpayers and the bio-tech and pharmaceutical industry should be considered beyond the simplistic promises of greater job creation?
How should Wisconsin use this gold standard resource? Wisconsin now holds three broad human embryonic stem cell patents. It should be used to help assure that citizens with chronic and debilitating diseases have access to affordable cell-based drugs and therapies.
Undoubtedly this issue will be the number one social and health care issue of the twenty-first century. For more information on this issue and proposed policy see wiscellnow.org and citizensforcures.org.
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