Sharon Begley wrote an article for Newsweek Magazine titled Where Are the Cures?
Scientists call the gulf between a biomedical discovery and new treatment “the valley of death.” I have written about this topic several times.
As a relative newcomer to scientific research, my journey has been perplexing and disconcerting. Everyday articles, Web stories and scientific papers cross my desk, touting discoveries made at the basic science level.
My insiders began pointing out to me nearly seven years ago that these discoveries very rarely get to the public for their care and treatment.
Begley’s article clearly identified some of the reasons behind this gap in medical science, and most of the reasons uncovered lead back to a broken system with both inappropriate incentives and vague disincentives locked firmly into place.
How do we get the basic discoveries to be translated and moved into actual treatments?
Obstacles to translational research in which studies move from the scientist’s bench to the patient’s bedside are formidable – hence the scientific community’s designation as the “valley of death.”
According to the article, “The valley of death is why many promising discoveries – genes linked to cancer and Parkinson’s disease; biochemical pathways that ravage neurons in Lou Gehrig’s disease – never move forward.”
Why are so few of the discoveries making their way to treatments and cures? It is because our system of NIH-sponsored science is set up to discover things; plain and simple. Once the discovery is made, articles can be written. That is the sought-after reward because these publications lead to more grants from the NIH, and the circle goes round and round.
The author challenges the incoming Obama administration and Congress to take a look at this dilemma and to begin revamping our biomedical research system by creating what Richard Boxer, a urologist at the University of Miami, and Lou Weisbach, a Chicago entrepreneur, call a “center for cures” at the NIH.
Interestingly enough, the model they endorse is exactly what was created not far from Johnstown, where multidisciplinary teams of biologists, chemists, technicians and biomedical informatics specialists work together to move a discovery to an actual cure.
Of course, with the cuts made during the Bush administration to the NIH funds, creating anything new that is unfunded could take away from basic research, and limit hopes for these cure discoveries.
The article explains that while the NIH budget was doubling, new-drug approvals fell from 53 in 1996 to 18 in 2006.
The sad case, however, is that even those organizations that try to establish cure centers are not funded by the NIH because of the fundamental design to enhance only basic research.
The article ends with this: “I’d be willing to put up with potholes in exchange for a new administration spending serious money to take the discoveries taxpayers have paid for and turn them into cures.”
Nick Jacobs is president of both the Windber Medical Center and Windber Research Institute, and the author of a new book, “Taking the Hell Out of Healthcare: A Patient’s Guide to Getting the Best care.”
Business
Related Photos
-
Tribune-Democrat File Photo
Discussion
NICK JACOBS | ‘Valley of death’
- Business
-
-
Business people: Longtime bank employee named to retail lending post
Lloyd Rager has been named mortgage loan originator for Indiana First Bank.
- Real estate transactions 02/05/2012
-
Facebook surrenders its privacy in IPO documents
Facebook is baring its business soul.
-
Will Facebook deliver an IPO surprise?
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg turns up at business conventions in a hoodie. "Cocky" is the word used to describe him most often, after "billionaire." He was Time's person of the year at 26.
So when he takes Facebook public, why would he follow the Wall Street rules?
-
Jobless numbers decline
The unemployment rate in Cambria and Somerset counties fell one-tenth of a percentage point in December, in line with lower numbers statewide and nationally.
-
Train kept a-rollin’: Norfolk Southern to add 2,600 workers in 2012, more in future
The days of little boys (and girls) dreaming of becoming train engineers may be coming back.
-
TOM YOUNG | Bad timing for new lawyers
So, your son or daughter has decided to become a lawyer. Law school is a three-year course after you have a bachelor’s degree. It’s expensive, so start saving.
However, is law school a good idea right now? -
Business people: Therapists attend education program
Rich Giraud and Mike Phillips of Allegheny Chesapeake Physical Therapy recently attended the Treating Balance and Vestibular Dysfunction continuing education program offered at Chatham University in Pittsburgh.
- Real estate transactions 01/29/2012
-
Business brief | Bank donates to PSU-Altoona
Altoona-based C&G Savings Bank has presented a $25,000 gift to Penn State-Altoona to create the bank’s first endowed student award at the college.
- More Business Headlines
-
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Expert: Removing LA School's Staff 'Appropriate'
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
