New Komen Foundation policy also refuses funding for embryonic stem cell research

[WI_DEM]

Via Kombiz, it appears the Susan G. Komen Foundation's newest push towards the hard-right has resulted in another new policy as well. According to a statement released at around the same time as the Planned Parenthood defunding was being planned, the Komen Foundation will also be denying any funding for cancer research that uses embryonic stem cells [PDF]. The statement language is lifted directly from far-right rhetoric on the matter, saying they will only fund stem cell research "derived without creating a human embryo or destroying a human life."

This seems to go even farther than George W. Bush was willing to go, as it appears to offer no grandfathering of existing embryonic stem cell lines, but instead formalizes a blanket funding ban on all such research, no matter what the origin of the cells. It's about as extremist a position as exists on the matter.

But as Kaili said, merely cutting off funds for breast cancer screenings at Planned Parenthood was never going to be good enough. This was another demand from the far right, after they learned that the Komen Foundation worked with research groups that had apparently unrelated embryonic stem cell research programs, like the National Cancer Institute and Yale, and apparently one the board of the Komen Foundation were just as eager to acquiesce to.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/02/02/1061151/-New-Komen-Foundation-policy-also-refuses-funding-for-embryonic-stem-cell research?via=blog_1

[gateley]

1. Of course it does. Thank God it's not political!

[madaboutharry]

2. It is very sad that this organization has been hijacked by the right wing.

[RevStPatrick]

4. No it's not.

Because of what sharp stick says below.
It's long been a money-making venture wrapped in non-profit clothing.

[avaistheone1]

12. That is what I feared.

[Ruby the Liberal]

14. I prefer the term "exposed"

and better sooner than later.

[obamanut2012]

15. It's always been like this

Just in the shadows. except for those of us who have worked closely with Komen on races and other projects, and then did some more research. They suck, and their co-opting the breast cancer awareness movement has REALLY (imo) pushed back research.

[madaboutharry]

23. Well, It is a good thing it is all out there now.

There brand is damaged with the general public, and it seems like that is a good thing.

[sharp_stick]

3. It's a shame that Komen

has in just over one day managed to completely destroy what little credibility it had left. This is truly an example of the damage hubris can lead to.

Salaries of the principles start to climb, just a bit at first then to the point where the execs can afford limos, then they start getting invited to parties where little political questions start to get put in their ears. Soon they're suing people who use pink or "race for" without permission and now they bend over and full on take it from the religious right.

[Ruby the Liberal]

7. That is the most amazing thing to me.

I remember years ago being surprised at the hardline stance they started taking about their brand (lawsuits on anything that hinted on infringement, valid or not) and now they have destroyed said brand in under a week.

[yardwork]

21. Apparently their founder has been hard-right from the very beginning.

The mask is off now.

[mainer]

5. There goes any claim of funding cancer research

if they're going to also de-fund the National Cancer Institute, Yale, and other university researchers.

[Ruby the Liberal]

6. What are the ties between Komen and the Cancer Society - anyone know? nt

[Irishonly]

8. I cant get into their site to tell them what I think

It took five minutes for the page to load and it just sits there, like a lump.

[Pachamama]

11. Does the Susan G. komen Fund own the rights/ copyright to the pink ribbon?

I ask because I think every time I see it now that it doesnt represent saving women's lives after what they just did in withdrawing their support of Planned Parenthood funds.

[Irishonly]

13. I don't know if they own the pink ribbon

Their panties get into a knot if anyone uses "Race for the Cure". I have never been into the pink ribbons although I have been given a couple of breast cancer ornaments and part of the money went to Komen. I found this on Wiki and it seems as though they don't own it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pink_ribbon

For the documentary film, see Pink Ribbons, Inc..

The pink ribbon is an international symbol of breast cancer awareness. Pink ribbons, and the color pink in general, identify the wearer or promoter with the breast cancer brand and express moral support for women with breast cancer. Pink ribbons are most commonly seen during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The first known use of a pink ribbon in connection with breast cancer awareness was in the fall of 1991, when the Susan G. Komen Foundation handed out pink ribbons to participants in its New York City race for breast cancer survivors.[1]
The pink ribbon was adopted as the official symbol of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month the next year, in 1992.[2] The pink ribbon was derived from the popular red ribbon for AIDS awareness. Alexandra Penney, the editor-in-chief of the women's health magazine Self, and breast cancer survivor Evelyn Lauder,[3] the senior corporate vice president at the cosmetics company Estée Lauder created a ribbon for the cosmetics giant to distribute in stores in New York City.

[Ruby the Liberal]

16. They will damn sure sue over it if they even think it infringes on their brand.

That and the use of "race for..." Yep - several suits on that one as well.

Are you a breast cancer survivor?

[Irishonly]

18. Yes

My very republican aunt donated to Koman back in 1999 and then was outraged at how little of the money went to research so I have never been a fan of Koman. I donate to other charities. I fear I don't know a lot about the organization because I rejected it a long time ago. I have known she was a right winger for years.

[Ruby the Liberal]

19. I had no idea how bad their track record was on donations

Guess it is better to come out now, but probably should have 13 years ago.

I have been an organizer for the Walk for the Cure for about 8 years. That ended this week.

[Irishonly]

20. They are/were terrific marketers

A lot of people thought they were something they never were. Maybe Brinkman stated with lofty goals but I think they faded quikly.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

9. I am saddened but not surprised at this.

It seems as though anything sensible and forward-thinking must be destroyed by these people.

[Pachamama]

10. Race for the cure, eh?

Those idiots running the Susan G. Komen foundation are so short-sighted & contolled by their fundie ideologues that they cant even recognize that the future cure is in those very same embryonic stem cell research that they want to de-fund.

One of my dearest friends had her breast cancer detected in her 20's thanks to a screening through Planned Parenthood. Same for another with ovarian cancer detection. They were young and right out of college with no health insurance. They are alive now because of Planned Parenthood.

There are advances being made every day by researchers using stem cells...just last week people who had lost their vision were able to regain sight through the benefit of the research with embryonic stem cells.

I will never donate or give any time or support ever to this organization again.....

[REP]

17. I have one thing to say to them:

"Take a big step back and literally fuck your own face."

These people started out at contemptible; now they are beneath contempt. Pink trinkets never saved anyone.

[Justice wanted]

22. Oh I thought I couldn't possibly anymore outraged. I am Freakin wrong.