Political SCI: Petition for Human Trials of OEG Technology in the US

Today I am working on another paper for my Issues in International Business class.  However I came across some information and send the following letter to some of our nation's leaders such as:

George Bush, President of the United States

Tommy G. Thompson, Secretary of Health and Human Services

Jesse Goodman, M.D., Director, FDA/CEBR  

I encourage you to learn about OEG, a specific application of stem cell technology for spinal cord injury, and sign the petition to promote human trials in United States at: http://www.cordtalk.org/oeg/   Human trials of variations of this technology are already being done in other countries but US scientists are being held back by political restrictions!

-Mark

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Dear Sir, Madame

 

My name is Mark Felling from Minneapolis Minnesota.  1.5 years ago I suffered a C-5 level spinal cord injury leaving me a quadriplegic paralyzed from the armpits down confined to a power wheelchair.  I am writing to you, because I believe that it is within your domain to bring a new therapy to human clinical trials for spinal cord injury-- it's called OEG.  If you are unfamiliar with OEG please visit the following website, and educate yourself about this very promising cell technology.

 

http://www.cordtalk.org/oeg/

 

I am an electrical engineer and completing a Masters in Business Administration.  I've spent years teaching quality verification to some of the top high-tech companies’ development and engineering groups around the world.  I now working to adapt numerous technologies to make life for those confined to a wheelchair easier. I know from personal experience, success in innovation does not happen without some risk, the courage to overcome it, and the ability to think outside the box of what might be possible!  I believe the potential for OEG technology to help someone like me in the next five years is excellent.  Even if I did not get up out of my wheelchair I believe this technology has the potential to give me back to use of my hands, as well as significant increased strength and sensation to other parts of my body.  This alone would increase my independence tenfold and possibly eliminate my needs for daily personal care assistance!

 

Please imagine how you would react to the potential of this technology if your life, or that of someone in your family was suddenly "flipped upside down" tomorrow? Every day 33 people in just the United States suffer spinal cord injuries.  Without better treatments, each one of those people cost society $0.25 to $0.5 million dollars the first year and $50,000-$250,000 per year thereafter depending on the level of their injury.

 

A simple cost-benefit analysis such as is done for any development project quickly demonstrates the value to society of investing in this research! We must act upon the scientific proof from recent advances and make human clinical trials of OEG transplants in spinal cord injury a reality.

 

If you are already familiar with OEG, I would to know your position on OEG.  I would like to know what steps you are taking to make OEG therapy happen.  Where are you doing currently with respect to OEG Development?

 

Sincerely,

 

Mark Felling

mfelling@yahoo.com

www.markfelling.com