Spring Break
Loud Science | Vote on Proposition 15
By: Vineet Tiruvadi
Issue date: 10/31/07 Section: Opinion
|
What's most irksome in all this is the charged political rhetoric jabbing you in the eye every time you go in for a closer look. My money is going to literally cure cancer? That's what this source says. But wait, this guy says the lawmakers pushed the decision on us so they wouldn't feel responsible for pushing Texas into more debt. Cue the sweeping statements condemning state sponsored research.
Yawn. What's Proposition 15 actually about?
On Nov. 6, you will - or should find yourself voting on the creation of the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. Besides "just" curing cancer, this institute and proposition is meant to implement the Texas Cancer Plan, bolster support for in-state medical research facilities and, in general, help Texas become a bigger player in cancer research.
The Texas Cancer Plan, while being a fairly vague "blueprint for cancer prevention and control in Texas," isn't exactly one of the four horsemen of socialized medicine either. What you're paying for is the establishment of a political entity meant to oversee the progress of Texas cancer prevention. Like any political entity, you get exactly what you pay for.
Despite my cynicism, it's hard to really think of any reason to strike this proposition down.
We've made amazing strides in understanding cancer and have interesting prospects in controlling the disease. Will Texas money be directly involved in curing cancer? Doubtful, but every little bit does help. It helps us in our understanding of the different types of cancer as well as in developing drugs to combat them. Where the money is, the research will surely follow.
Enter the Texas-based institute. An oversight committee, consisting of nine appointees, will review the recommendations from a scientific research and prevention programs committee, consisting of even more appointees. If the two committees are in agreement then a grant award follows and the rest is pure research loving.
Saying there are a few people who aren't thrilled at this idea would be an understatement. Some have a few good reasons. Remember, this is Texas money as well as Texas health. Looking past the melodrama of both sides is in all our best interests. The chance to make Texas an even bigger force in eradicating cancer isn't something that should be passed up.
Be sure to vote on Nov. 6, or now in the early voting. Regardless of whether you're voting against the proposition or for the proposition be sure to make your informed decision heard.
- Vineet Tiruvadi is a senior biomedical engineering major.
Be sure to include your name, major, and class year. Submissions without this information are subject to deletion.
By submitting a comment, you agree to thebatt.com's Terms of Use.
You may also send a Mail Call to The Battalion at mailcall@thebatt.com