Institutes’ hoopla ignores chronically ill

Capital Times - Sunday, December 19, 2010

As a patient advocate for stem cell research I was privileged to attend the Grand Opening of Wisconsin’s Institutes of Discovery (WID). WID is a spacious and remarkably attractive building. A richly deserved sense of accomplishment was in evidence at the event.

We were introduced to the key actors in the building’s initial concept and innovative design. Much time was spent discussing, who actually first had the dream of WID. Was it Governor Doyle or John and Tashia Morgridge? No, well then how about the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation’s Carl Gulbrandson or the interim director of the public side of WID, John Wiley? Each speaker who went to the podium modestly and graciously attributed WID’s initial idea to one or more others. Lastly, each of the UW scientists who were selected to locate their lab at WID was introduced and their lab’s specialty celebrated with loud applause from the crowd.

The grand opening of WID was most certainly a UW-Wisconsin signature event and properly celebrated in every way, with one exception: There was no mention of those so loudly touted as one of the chief reasons for WID’s creation back in 2004---those who suffer daily from catastrophic and chronic diseases.

It was in 2004 that Gov. Doyle first hailed what was to become WID “as the creation of a world class stem cell research center.” This appellation of WID given by Doyle now six years ago is in stark contrast with this year’s speeches and media accounts surrounding WID’s dedication.

This glaring omission of those suffering from chronic diseases could certainly not go unnoticed by anyone reading the extensive news articles heralding WID’s celebration or those in attendance at the Grand Opening. If there was ever an example of radically re-writing Wisconsin history, this will have to stand alone.

In news articles beginning in late November of this year and during the Grand Opening ceremonies on December 2nd many reasons for WID’s construction were cited. One speaker referred to WID as an engine for creativity.

Other speakers and writers referred to WID as the heart of collaboration and the interdisciplinary community; a boost to Wisconsin’s economy and job creation; a center for community out-reach and education for the young and seniors; a space to inspire generations to come; and a space for every constituency to gather; the center of medical science and technology, and a trading center of ideas.

Apparently stem cell research committed to curing chronic disease is no longer the Wisconsin Institutes of Discovery’s paramount reason for being. UW indeed will be challenged to win back the trust of those suffering from chronic diseases in Wisconsin.

William R. Benedict is a patient advocate for stem cell research.