'Soon' never comes

October 8, 2007

Dear Sir,

For those interested in a perspective on the subject of stem cell research, please go to http://news.bbbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/documentary_archive/7002784.stm, or simply got to bbc.co.uk/worldservice and find the "documentary archive" link and click on "Stem Cell Bazaar" to listen to BBC's story.

Please note that this is a streaming audio presentation, so your computer must be set up for audio streaming. When listening, please note:

1) Treatment is always in countries that lack of laws to regulate this type of "medical" treatment, never in the USA or Canada.

2) Treatment has no peer reviewed research to support it.

3) Treatment is designed for desperate people who are willing to spend their last dollars in a vain attempt to be cured of a severely debilitating or fatal disease. (Often called "no option patients".)

4) Promises that publications of the research will be made soon. Soon never comes.

In all of the cases highlighted by the BBC, there is no evidence that the so-called treatment has any benefit at all, and there is no identifiable biological mechanism that would even justify the attempts at treatment. This last point is very important, and one that is lost on many people. If the treatment has no identifiable biological mechanism that could lead to success, it is being sold based on people's ignorance of biology. People hear that stem cells can become any type of tissue.

Hearing this, they can accept, because they lack the required knowledge to understand, that simply injecting stem cells into an area of damage will not allow the stem cells to replace the damaged tissue. If there is no proposed mechanism for the cells to heal the damage, the treatment is akin to a child playing with his chemistry set, mixing chemicals at random and seeing if he can create gold from them. If gold is made of protons, neutrons and electrons, why can he not possibly get gold by mixing together other things that have protons, neutrons and electrons?

A patently absurd thought process, but directly analogous to the reasoning behind the type of "research" exposed by the BBC. If stem cells can become any type of tissue, why won't they become the tissue I want them to? This person in the white coat said they will, and he/she must know, because he/she is wearing a white coat. It is very sad, but this is where desperation takes people. We must all be wary of projects designed to give us a false sense of pride. In this case, the false pride is that: "We can become a centre for this very sophisticated research, because we are so very special an island that we can do things that can't be done in other places that already have the hugely complicated and expensive facilities necessary for success."

We can do it right now in spite of the fact that we don't have any facilities or expertise. This is because expertise just happens in this very special (and magical) island. We embody the best of everything and can do anything, even that which cannot be done anywhere else in the world, even when there are millions of people to draw talent from in those places. We are only about 50,000 Bermudians, but we are the 50,000 smartest people in the world.

DIOGENES II

Change our mindset

October 5, 2007

Dear Sir,

Once again, I put pen to paper and pay a visit to your column. On a happy note this time. There’s always room it seems for the negative type letter that one can read in your column these days. I just hate it. Bermuda is the place I so adore. Most of all, it’s all the wonderful people I share it with that makes Bermuda what it is. Heaven!

On the bright note that’s brought me to write to you. And I wish to share it with Bermuda.

I wish to give much praise to the many people that was responsible for making the Lionel Ritchie concert of last evening the success that it was. Fantastic! I’m sure I speak for all that attended.

The first presentation was The Bermuda Mass Choir. This group took the stage with such a professional manner. Then we were treated with a beautiful young voice singing her praise to God, along with the rest of the choir. Then various individuals took there turn at leading the choir through many different hymns. The audience joined in clapping and singing along with the choir. What a great group.

They consisted of youngsters, teenagers, and adults male and female. May I suggest to the director of the choir, that each member be given accolades for their performances. And with some thought out planning maybe, Bermuda could share this experience once again. Suggestion! A concert to celebrate God’s birthday, at Christmas would be so nice. Using The Cathedral Of the Most Holy Trinity in Hamilton. Hey, go for it. Again, a magnificent performance.

From the very start, to the finish we were glued to our seats. There was something for everyone to enjoy. We had a special artist perform as well, with special talents. From splashing paint onto a canvas at all angles, everyone was in awe to what he might be creating, at the end. By turning his painting to the vertical. To which, he did three times. Creating Ray Charles, Dame Lois Brown-Evans and John Lennon. Unbelievable.

Finally, what we were all waiting for, was soon jumping and singing right before our eyes Lionel Richie began a performance long to be remembered, and one of the best seen here in Bermuda. From the yesterday era, for the older group such as songs from his hey day with the Commodores, up to his singing solo. He got everyone in such a great mood. We all sang and clapped along with him, some were brave enough to dance in the aisles.

All, of us that attended, will remember Lionel’s performance, along with his brilliant group of musicians for a very long time. Again, a big thank you to the many people I’m sure, that it took to organise an event of this magnitude. And make it the success that it was. Best thing of all, was to see the cross section of people that live in Bermuda gelling together as one people, all having great fun. Hey, that’s the Bermuda I love. Even Lionel Richie himself, praised Bermuda, at just how nice he and his band had been received. And all the kindness they were shown by the individuals they had met. And Lionel and his band are all looking, to a much longer visit to Bermuda again.

So Bermuda, I say to you if we all can be happy and cordial to each other in one night, then we should be able to make it work each day throughout each of our communities. Starting in our homes, our schools, our churches. And especially on the streets that we drive. And at all places of employment. We must all be more tolerant of each other. We are very special individuals, and very envied around the world. So Bermuda lets not ponder or procrastinate. We’re all capable of great things. We must change our mindset. Or perish.

GORDY GIBBONS

Paget East

Save our open spaces

October 18, 2007

Dear Sir,

Anyone watching the TNT coverage of the PGA Grand Slam at Mid-Ocean would instantly be reminded of the beauty of our Island. One would also notice that TNT has cleverly shot their aerial sequences over our blue waters, sandy beaches, glorious golf course and open green spaces. Only one or two congested urban or rural shots here!

Perhaps our sitting Government should take a second look at what the rest of the world is seeing as a visual representation of Bermuda and re- think its plans to continue to destroy what little natural beauty is left. I am reminded of an ancient Native American Indian saying:

"Treat the earth well.

We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors,

We borrow it from our Children."

J. HARRINGTON

St. George’s

A note of thanks

October 22, 2007

Dear Sir,

We wrote today to Mr. David Hill as the Chief Executive Officer of the Bermuda Hospitals Board to thank him for the service provided by the A&E Department of the KEMH. On Saturday, October 20, our six-year-old son Finn had an accident and split his knee when he fell on the edge of a concrete seating block. We arrived at the KEMH at 1.30 p.m., where the details were taken efficiently by the receiving staff member, the triage section immediately examined the wound in a very reassuring manner and after a very short wait we were seen by a doctor who was both friendly and comforting with Finn as the wound was cleaned and eight stitches made.

Instructions for dealing with the wound were given clearly. At 2.10 p.m. we were able to leave the hospital. While not an experience we wish to repeat, it is reassuring to know that the KEMH operates a very professional A&E Department which is sensitive to the needs of its patients. We thank the KEMH and in particular the A&E staff for their excellent service.

PETER AND SUZANNE WILSON

Paget