Please note that this is one of the only instances in the history of this blog that I have retroactively edited a post for what I believe was an error on my part related to what I feel was overly extreme verbiage. I have also subsequently been informed confidentially of more of the facts of this case that have important bearing on the content I’ve now chosen to include in this post.
In a surprising move, Governor Rick Perry of Texas just visited a lab at the highly esteemed Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, CA. That lab, that of Jeanne Loring, is particularly well known for their human ES cell (HESC) research. This is unexpected because Perry is known for being an opponent of HESC.
A video (above) was made of the visit. What concerns me most about this turn of events is not Perry’s visit itself per se, but rather the other worldly, campaign ad-style video of the visit.
Below the video is the following text:
Pursuing his significant interest in non-embryonic stem cell research, Governor Perry visited the Loring Laboratory at Scripps Research in San Diego. In addition to meeting personnel and Dr. Jeanne Loring and Dr. Suzanne Peterson of the Loring lab, he met with Dr. Michael Marletta, the new CEO of Scripps Research Institute. The tour was arranged by Michael Thorsnes, as well as Jerry Henberger and Ron Hendrix of the Parkinson’s Association of San Diego. The event was photographed by Michael Thorsnes. San Diego is one of the top centers in the country for stem cell research, and the Governor looks forward to a close collaboration between the work being done in Texas and California. His visit was well received by those making significant gains on a variety of fronts in San Diego.
But wait, Paul, you might say, weren’t you the one just last week blogging about how within the stem cell community we need to reach out for dialogue with those we might not agree?
Yes, I did an interview with ICMS President Rodriguez and then posted my advice to them. Heck, I even invited the two founders of Celltex, which is linked to Perry, to do an interview with me under very fair and impartial terms (no response yet BTW). I hosted a dual debate/interview of sorts between Dr. Chris Centeno of Regenerative Sciences, Inc. and Doug Sipp.
Forming bridges is extremely important, but to me the video of his visit seems very political, which raises warning flags for me. Perhaps others interpret it differently.
I asked Dr. Loring about her perspectives on this, which I found very interesting. She said:
“I think that scientists have an obligation to educate the public. I welcome visits from both stem cell proponents and opponents, so I have a chance to clarify any misconceptions about what it is that we really do. We have to figure out how to deal with our opponents as well as our friends. I have a policy of welcoming opponents so I can teach them. It works. Education wins minds.“
Dr. Loring added:
“I wish that the Vatican meeting had not been cancelled- what an opportunity we would have had to educate those who misunderstand our research!”
Dr. Loring is of course referring to the ill-fated, now cancelled 2012 Vatican stem cell meeting that is now the center of a Vatican/Pro-life scandal. I also wish the Vatican meeting hadn’t been cancelled.
I would also add that I greatly admire Dr. Loring not only for her work as a scientists, but also for her willingness to advocate and educate. A lot of scientists won’t do that.
So, in closing, some might legitimately ask me: what would you do if you had the chance to meet with Perry and show him your lab or even do an email interview with him?
I would do it and I hope that some good would come out of such a meeting, but no video!
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Governor Rick Perry is a classic patient who hurts. It shows in his eyes, the drawn face with tension lines and the way he moves. Yet he has incredible energy and charisma. It is horrible to live in the kind of pain every day that no drugs can touch. The only choice is to wait until the body goes into shock and unconsciousness mercifully gives a short reprieve.
He is not a doctor or a scientist yet he was not afforded the same dignity and expression to share his views that those who oppose the FDA and charge patients for experimental treatment were.
I think I would be thankful if attention and funding was for Scripps rather some Korean based company that ‘clones’ dogs for 155,000.00.
Kissing babies, visiting schools or stem cell research it is all the same but maybe a little respect for real scientists even by those who hedge bets is helpful for spreading the word. Did you want him to stick to the only adult stem cells work and are moral kind of script?
Perhaps his cells not working has widened the horizons only time will tell but even so several 100,000 people will see smiling cell scientists and remember this…if that so bad?
Thanks for your perspectives, Amy. It is a very complex topic as I’m realizing by digging more into the details of the visit.
I agree with Amy. Good that he visited Loring’s lab and I liked the video because I got to see that he cared and connected with the scientists.
Judy, I’m glad that you find it positive. Initially I and several others felt differently. The intersection of science and art is exceptionally important, and can have powerful influence on society.
Rumor has it Perry is trying to recruit Loring to Texas, which might explain this photo op visit.
So, the brilliant and respected CEO of Scripps who is also a newly minted board member of CIRM, thought bringing Gov. wild eyes strung out on pain meds in to a respected lab in CA for a photo op, produced and posted on YouTube , by a right wing funded Parkinson’s organization was a good Idea.
The Scripps taught Perry nothing – in fact it was the other way around. How to get used.