Yesterday, we introduced our latest report , “Is Type 1 Cure Research Funding Focused Enough?”
It takes a look at a very important issue relating to cure research. Are the organizations being too broad when it comes to outlining plans for a type 1 diabetes cure and when funding projects? Based on our research and the fact that there is no cure on the horizon, our analysis suggests that that is most certainly the case.
Without clearly defined goals, the non-profits are funding a wide array of research projects. As a result, a lot of money goes into efforts that are not working to deliver a Practical Cure for type 1 diabetes. This diverts resources from those projects that are working towards a specified cure goal that could help people now living with the disease.
People who are often frustrated with where we are in the search for a type 1 diabetes point out that a cure is nowhere in sight – even after more than 40 years of funded research. A lot of money is donated toward diabetes research on an annual basis, however, a large portion of that goes into basic or exploratory research, which has resulted in very few human clinical trials that could potentially deliver a Practical Cure. As stated in a previous report, out of over 300 human clinical trials that are underway, only five are working toward a type 1 diabetes Practical Cure.
The major non-profits have not established a well-defined cure or a cure-by date for type 1 diabetes. The JDCA believes that creating such targets is fundamental to the development of a type 1 cure.
We have an important mission ahead of us – we have to make sure that more of the donations given for a cure are used for type 1 diabetes cure research, instead of such a broad range of projects – only then can we expect real, promising results.
– Stoyan
