Last night’s #DSMA Twitter chat was based around a cure. Do we think one will happen, what will it cost, when will it happen, what will a cure be, etc. These are all questions I think that many of us have asked ourselves or discussed with others at one point in our diabetes lives. Last night was the first time that I discussed it in a very long time. So, I decided to talk about it just a bit more here.
These are my honest opinions, love em or hate em, we are all entitled to those opinions.
Also, my language is a bit NSFW.
Will There Be a Cure for Diabetes?
For me to see? No. For my 6 year old niece to see? Probably not. Do I “hope” that there will be one? Abso-fucking-lutely. But, as I said last night during the chat, there is a huge difference between a hope and a belief. I definitely hope that a cure happens. Do I have hope in it? No. Do I believe? No.
The number one reason why I don’t think it will occur is basic economics. There is way too much money being made in the pharma industry for a cure to happen. I’ve heard people say that the economics isn’t the issue and that companies will still make money, but that’s all “future speak” meaning, we don’t know shit about what will happen if there is a cure. Projections are cool, but results are fucking awesome!
Also, I currently do not believe there is enough funding going into an actual cure. I think that the people and organizations that are doing it are great. Whether you like the Diabetes Research Institute or not because of some marketing mishaps they had in the past, they are still doing some excellent work. But, at the same time, I don’t really care to stay up to date with this cure talk anymore because I don’t care about breakthroughs are progress being made. I simply want results.
I am more focused on research and development that is going on within the technology industry that is going to help make my life with diabetes easier. That’s what I care about.
What Does a Cure Look Like?
That’s simple to me. A cure means the disease does not fucking exist! It doesn’t mean I still have to check my blood sugar, and have check ups. It means it doesn’t exist! Anything less than that is not a cure. Once again, it is progress towards a cure.
What Will it Cost?
If you want exact numbers, you can go do your own research, but I’m not going to look up the finances for big pharma to get exact numbers, but here’s the theory with a basic number. Let’s say the profits from diabetes are currently $1 billion per year. That means that the cure would have to make $1 billion per year for big pharma. So, whatever that number is, there’s your answer of the cost. I know it would be a lot.
Mike Hoskins had said last night:
Truly, I do believe we will see a Zombie Apocalypse before we’ll see a cure for diabetes. #dsma
— Mike Hoskins (@MHoskins2179) February 18, 2016
And I my friend, believe in Zombie Unicorns
Here is the bottom line for me. I think that the cure, unfortunately, is a false hope. At least for my generation. It’s like holding out for Prince Charming when Mr. Right is standing right there in front of you. Meaning, IMO, why set my eyes on a cure, when I can set my eyes on better technology to make the disease even easier to manage?
I’m not telling you to give up hope for a cure. Because if you have gotten that out of this post, then re-read it, because that’s not what I’m saying. I’m also, by no means, saying that I don’t want a cure and that I think people should stop funding it. Definitely not saying that.
Would love to hear your thoughts. Comment below or on Facebook