Sure we have bigger sharper TV's, but where's the cure for cancer?

GTS_300_Coupe · 07-03-2007, 10:19 PM

I always thought in the year 2000, we'd eliminate alot of the common diseases, and find a way to regenerate tissue. Helping people grow back lost appendages, and healing the blind and deaf.

But nothing really important has been accomplished. Lots of short term solutions, but nothing for the long run.

And cancer charities have been around for a long time, and have taken in billions of dollars im sure. Where does that money go anyways? And why hasn't anything been done? If there is no hope in finding a cure for cancer, then let us know, so we can stop wasting resources.

Maybe invest in building a TV big enough, so the entire western hemisphere can watch Friends reruns.

Somebody enlighten me here.

benoxr · 07-03-2007, 11:15 PM

I’ve always been a bit sceptical on this. Much of the money donated goes to paying for administration of the charity, for patient services especially if it is for one of those Luekaemia or cancer lodging hospital where the whole family stays at the same place (or nearby) where the cancer patient is being treated. Most of the money should go to researching by scientists etc. to find a cure. But would the scientists hurry with a cure if it meant all those millions being spent around the world would dry up?
They are getting closer with the Leukaemia’s but even when they announce something significant, it can still be 10yrs before we see any decent results because they need to go through trials on animals, then human clinical trials etc. One things for sure, with some of the rich and famous that have died of cancers, they definitely don’t have a cure.

AU2PWR · 07-03-2007, 11:29 PM

You know those Lollies the Starlight Foundatation have , only 7.8% go to the Charity , rest is profit ,

Rediculouse !

[Tonko] · 08-03-2007, 12:19 AM

Did you ever think about the complexities of curring a cancer? None are the same, they are just grouped together because they are similar, not the same disease.
They have made phenominal (sp?) advancements in treatment for cancers, years ago you were told to get your affairs in order and written off, so how about stop your wingeing and appreciate the treatments they would give you if you had a cancer or other disease.

*sorry but this really annoys me, having many, many loved ones die of cancer*

Psycho Chicken · 08-03-2007, 12:58 AM

I wonder if people in the 30's were complaining about replacing valves with transistors rather than spending money on medical research.

XR6-VCT-2000 · 08-03-2007, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Psycho Chicken

I wonder if people in the 30's were complaining about replacing valves with transistors rather than spending money on medical research.

Muso's wouldn't of been happy ! there's nothing like the sound of a valve amp ..lol.

Anyway , back to the topic , I see your point ! . Yes we have waisted alot of money on some technology's etc etc. Although - look how far computers have come in the last few years, many of us may see that as useless or just good for gaming and internet, but - this sort of technology is also helping us solve problems quicker in the medical world too (The pc back in the early days was not designed for most of the stuff it does nowerdays, but by spending money on this technology and advancing it - look how much it is helping us in the medical world nowerdays).
So sometimes money does have to be invested (some may say wasted) into other areas to be able to get the required tools and recources up to scratch to do the medical research.

It sure would be nice though 'if' they ever come up with a cure for all cancers. Cheers.

**Raptor** · 08-03-2007, 09:59 AM

I'm sure those doing the research are doing their best with the resources made available to them, and Australia has some of the best medical research/scientists in the world.

Perhaps if the funds that went into something like, I dunno, the military were directed into medical science we might live in a very different world.

El_Poochino · 08-03-2007, 11:19 AM

Technology hasn't been a waste. Even that big PC that can download 1,000 porn sites a day can help.

http://www.worldcommunitygrid.org/

Uses spare computing power to model proteins and such, which is used by researchers. Estimated it can achive 50 years of modeling time in 1 day.

Tech helps speed things along, and Cancer isn't as straightfoward as a cold.

MITCHAY · 08-03-2007, 12:50 PM

You also have got to remember you need people who are willing to invest in medical research. Companys just won't do it for the greater good sadly. It's a high risk investment because of the complex nature of these sorts of things.

On the news they had the guy who invented a vaccine for (I think cervical cancer) saying each $1 invested into medical research is worth $9 to the community.

4.9 EF Futura · 08-03-2007, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonkoXR8

Did you ever think about the complexities of curring a cancer? None are the same, they are just grouped together because they are similar, not the same disease.
They have made phenominal (sp?) advancements in treatment for cancers, years ago you were told to get your affairs in order and written off, so how about stop your wingeing and appreciate the treatments they would give you if you had a cancer or other disease.

*sorry but this really annoys me, having many, many loved ones die of cancer*

Here, here.

Along with those ive lost, am eternally grateful for those who have survived due to amazing advances we have made.

S3SR · 08-03-2007, 04:13 PM

ill tell you why, when cancer is cured all those specialists lose their jobs, those machines get scrapped, big corporate drug companies win for a while until everyone is cured vs no one having cancer, people being less responsible out in the sun/ with their health being careless.

sorry to be so heartless but thats what we learnt in school........ive got family that have suffered from cancer and no doubt id be first to ask for the cure but its not gonna help anyone in the long run

as for where does the money go?.... it goes to corporate fat cats, govt bodies, workers, tax then the couple of dollars left goes to buildings and machines to help the people and find a cure, just like EVERY other charity

GXL078 · 08-03-2007, 09:04 PM

Its the big TVs that cause cancer. Them and mobile phones.
People only start charities (and churches) for the tax free status.

Cruise · 08-03-2007, 09:13 PM

what gets me is "Doctors" at AMI can give an 80 year old a hard on but cant cure any cancers. have we got our piorities mixed up?

El_Poochino · 09-03-2007, 12:35 AM

Cancer is deceptivly simple. Uncontrolled division of abnormal cells. Answer seems simple, kill or prevent the cells becomming abnormal. But that is where it becomes hard.

Look at the Human Genome Project, it has taken alot of time, technology and money to get to the current point. Science needs to get a detailed picture of a normal and abnormal cell, find the diffrences and find something that will kill only the abnormal cell. Then the 'holy grail' of stopping the cells from becomming abnormal.

Also, it is better for corperations to elimante cancer. Insurance companies and the goverment have to foot the bill for expensive therapy and the costs involved in keeping someone in hospital long term. Elimante cancer and that cost is gone, and you get a large number of people back into the workforce. The research division will still exist, as there always seems to be a better way to do things.

Here is the link again...

http://www.worldcommunitygrid.org/index.jsp

pitch in and help cancer research at no cost to yourself.

zetec · 09-03-2007, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raptor

I'm sure those doing the research are doing their best with the resources made available to them, and Australia has some of the best medical research/scientists in the world.

Perhaps if the funds that went into something like, I dunno, the military were directed into medical science we might live in a very different world.

Some of the most surprising medical research is perfected or even discovered through military research, hell penicillin gained it's foothold when it stopped thousands upon thousand of soldiers dying from bullet wound infections in world war II.

It'll come, already some cancers are close to cured, at least closer than ever.

What I want to know is what the hell comes after cancer...

normxb · 09-03-2007, 02:53 AM

What I find frustrating is , I have a very rare muscle disease which I've had for 40 years and there is only one doctor researching this problem and she does this in her own time and mostly at her own cost . AMA Reason = Not Cost Effective , not worth spending research money on so few , because there's only 4 of us in Vic/NSW . So my wife & I travel from mid NSW to Shepparton or Melbourne every 3 months for a 15 - 20 minute appointment . No use going to the States , they're no further advanced over there .

But hopefully one day there'll be a "breakthrough" with Genetics and DNA one day . In the meantime we just hang in there .

Bring on the Technology , Scientists & Researchers will NEVER be out of work . Don't forget MS , Muscular Distrophy Etc. still a lot of work to go there also .