Juan Domínguez-Bendala, Ph.D., is Director of Stem Cell Development for Translational Research at the Diabetes Research Institute. Once again, thanks to Gina and Jon at Diabetes Talkfest - you'll have the opportunity to chat live with Dr. Domínguez-Bendala on August 23rd at 9pm Eastern Standard Time.

Dr. Domínguez-Bendala is currently involved in several projects that focus on the use of embryonic stem cells to obtain pancreatic islets, in the hopes that these newly developed cells could one day be transplanted into patients with type I diabetes.

Join Dr. Domínguez-Bendala to discuss his work and ask questions pertaining to embryonic stem cell research. I know I'll be there, in true form, asking questions that I've been archiving for an event like this one!

After living with diabetes for over 50 years, and witnessing few changes in the treatment of the disease, Brent Hoadley has written Too Profitable to Cure.

Distressed that the cure is no closer now than when he was diagnosed, at the age of 14 -- Hoadley took it upon himself to find answers. He notes the current state of healthcare for those who suffer from chronic diseases, and contends that profit, not humanitarianism, is driving American healthcare. As an entrepreneur and an investor, he is aware, and appreciates the profit motive that drives capitalism. However, he feels the bottom line should not interfere with the pursuit of a cure. With pragmatic drive, he identifies culprits and urges activism as a countermeasure.

Diabetes is only one shining example of the pharmaceutical industry's criminal pursuit of profits. Patients' health, patients' lives, patients' freedom-all are fair game in the quest for limitless wealth and unbridled power.

The question of evening news and print advertisement for pharmaceuticals is posed. Is this marketing speaking to doctor's in lieu of doctor's reading unbiased research? Or does this research derive from the very company making the pill? Hoadley reveals pharmaceutical sales reps now supply more education to physicians than they obtained in medical school. In other words, Big Pharma has climbed to the top of the totem pole; medical professionals stubbornly cling to their subordinate position; and the poor patient (pun intended) supports the entire structure. Do I need to tell you that the support is vulnerable and under attack? Whether it can remain viable is, or should be, a question of great concern.

Too Profitable to Cure is available online through Hoadley's site. Scott Strumello had turned me on to Brent Hoadley after he posted an Open Letter to Eli Lilly and one of the comments left was from Mr. Hoadley, himself. Definitely worth checking out! Thank you to Scott for the great find and to Brent Hoadley for putting it into words for us!

The JDRF Government Relations would like to encourage all diabetics to take action and let your Senators know that you want them to support the Senate Bill 5 (S.5) - the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act. Of course, if you do not support this bill you are in no way expected to do any of the following - but for the sake of enlightenment, I invite you to read on.

This bill is similar to H.R. 3, which passed the U.S. House in January and H.R. 810, which passed both the House and the Senate last year. This legislation will allow federally funded researchers to use additional stem cell lines for their research.

If you wish to take action, and let your Senators know that you support this important bill--you can personalize a letter that will be faxed to your Senators offices on your behalf by following one simple step:

Visit the Take Action page. Review the letter supplied and enter your personal story in the paragraph provided.

So here's my personal story - and why I'm disappointed that any politician appointed for the welfare of the citizens that elected him or her would disrupt the promise stem cell research could offer diseases like diabetes:

My name is Allison Beatty and I am a juvenile diabetic. I was diagnosed in July, 1985. As a type 1 diabetic for over 21 years (and of legal voting age for 11 years) I am disappointed that officials governing the use of my tax dollars have impeded the most promising avenue of research to remedy a National problem like diabetes.

The incentive of those who oppose stem cell research is strictly religious and I am insulted that my quality of life on Earth today is compromised by the FAITH in where they will end UP in the afterlife.

Please do not allow the religious forum to dictate the scientific relevance of one of he most promising answers to address life-threatening illness. I trust your decision as a politician will best serve the needs of those living on Earth today, and not on your destination in the afterlife.

Although they are not currently targeting my Senator(s) for this campaign – that's my personal story, and I'm sticking to it. I hope the politicians who oppose stem cell research can see past their personal crusade to save their soul and start acting on saving lives!

There is a great deal of controversy over stem cell research and passage of the stem cell bill, particularly as it pertains to the use of embryos. Supporters of the stem cell bill say embryonic research carries great promise in the search for cures for diseases that afflict millions of Americans, including diabetes, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.

Opponents say taxpayers should not be forced to foot the bill for research that destroys the days-old fertilized embryos from which the stem cells are extracted. Instead, many of them support federally funded research on other kinds of stem cells, such as those derived from umbilical cord blood and adults.

We'd like to know what you think. We're taking a poll asking for your views. If you have an opinion on this issue one way or the other, please leave a comment and encourage others to do so as well.

President Bush may be opposed to the stem cell bill presently before the Senate, but former first-lady Nancy Reagan isn't.

In fact, Mrs. Reagan is poised to take on the Senate's embryonic stem cell debate in much the same way she did it in during fight in the House, by calling up wavering lawmakers to help win passage of legislation in the shadow of President Bush's veto threat.

The former first layd is intent on getting federal funding for research that could lead to cures for diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and diabetes.