Autologous Stem Cell Therapy ...A Civil Rights Issue
The availability of autologous stem cell therapy in the U.S. must be framed as a civil rights
issue. One advantage of the paucity of media coverage is that the public narrative of
autologous stem cell therapy has yet to be written. Thus, the narrative can be ours to
write. We must not be content with conceding this as some complicated, esoteric issue best
left to bureaucrats, politicians, lawyers and scientists to sort out among themselves “with all
deliberate speed.” Yes, those individuals are important, but this is a human issue that
affects real people who are suffering the vice of regulations that segregate them from the
healthy and hobble them with marginalization. Our previous experience with civil rights in
this country shows that when it comes to the removal of rules that arbitrarily discriminate
“all deliberate speed” means either not fast enough or not at all.
For me, the narrative is crystallized in the concept of the political economy of corporeality,
The availability of autologous stem cell therapy in the U.S. must be framed as a civil rights
issue. One advantage of the paucity of media coverage is that the public narrative of
autologous stem cell therapy has yet to be written. Thus, the narrative can be ours to
write. We must not be content with conceding this as some complicated, esoteric issue best
left to bureaucrats, politicians, lawyers and scientists to sort out among themselves “with all
deliberate speed.” Yes, those individuals are important, but this is a human issue that
affects real people who are suffering the vice of regulations that segregate them from the
healthy and hobble them with marginalization. Our previous experience with civil rights in
this country shows that when it comes to the removal of rules that arbitrarily discriminate
“all deliberate speed” means either not fast enough or not at all.
For me, the narrative is crystallized in the concept of the political economy of corporeality,
or, stated more simply, poor bodies. It seeks to bring together races, classes, sexes, genders and abilities by
emphasizing fundamental physical need.
In my own life I have become well acquainted with the weight of the body politic in its most literal sense. I know
intimately what it means to fear my own reflection, even when glimpsed peripherally, and to viscerally acknowledge my
body as aberrative, deviant and indigent. I admit the description may be disturbing, but I don’t think I am the only one
who can admit to this. While at times I have used artistic expression as catharsis, sometimes those who are in need
material help to get better. By working to make autologous stem cell therapy available in the U.S. now we can indeed do
something material that can make us all wealthy in health.
To sum up, I need your help. I know you all are very busy, and I don’t think we need much to get things moving.
Although this advocacy effort is in its infancy, there are two steps we can take immediately. First, we can read more about
autologous stem cells and ask our friends to do the same. Some of the scientific and legal issues can be a bit daunting,
but we cannot fear them. Second, it would be great if you could email your senators and representative about this issue.
A sample letter will be posted that you can simply copy and paste. We need Pres. Obama to direct the FDA to review its
regulations on FDA oversight of autologous stem cells. I am still sorting out how to go about this and I am always open
to suggestions on how to improve. Once this issue gets more attention, I am confident we will see movement and,
ultimately, the outcome we deserve. Thank you for visiting the site.
emphasizing fundamental physical need.
In my own life I have become well acquainted with the weight of the body politic in its most literal sense. I know
intimately what it means to fear my own reflection, even when glimpsed peripherally, and to viscerally acknowledge my
body as aberrative, deviant and indigent. I admit the description may be disturbing, but I don’t think I am the only one
who can admit to this. While at times I have used artistic expression as catharsis, sometimes those who are in need
material help to get better. By working to make autologous stem cell therapy available in the U.S. now we can indeed do
something material that can make us all wealthy in health.
To sum up, I need your help. I know you all are very busy, and I don’t think we need much to get things moving.
Although this advocacy effort is in its infancy, there are two steps we can take immediately. First, we can read more about
autologous stem cells and ask our friends to do the same. Some of the scientific and legal issues can be a bit daunting,
but we cannot fear them. Second, it would be great if you could email your senators and representative about this issue.
A sample letter will be posted that you can simply copy and paste. We need Pres. Obama to direct the FDA to review its
regulations on FDA oversight of autologous stem cells. I am still sorting out how to go about this and I am always open
to suggestions on how to improve. Once this issue gets more attention, I am confident we will see movement and,
ultimately, the outcome we deserve. Thank you for visiting the site.
Autologous Stem Cell Therapy...One Man's Journey
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