We helped stop ren square. Now let's develop Rochester into a world-class city.
Harry Davis stands for creating real jobs by building a sustainable Rochester with decent housing and education for all in a secure and safe city.
High speed rail is the biggest economic development for upstate New York in 150 years, since the Erie Canal.
Harry Davis is endorsed by the Green Party of Monroe County & The Working Familes Party
SCIENCE: The stem-cell economy
SCIENCE: The stem-cell economy
from City Newspaper
"I believe that Mr. Davis would make a very important ally for the biomedical research community and for the patient advocacy community...Dr. Mark Noble" (see comments below)
Dr. Mark Noble LOR for Harry Davis
http://www.box.net/shared/g2kijoqxe7
http://www.rochestercitynewspaper.com/news/articles/2009/07/SCIENCE-The-...
Tim Louis Macaluso on July 22, 2009
Mark Noble doesn't mask his relief over the end of the Bush administration's headlock on embryonic stem cell research. Access to human embryonic stem cells suitable for clinical use, after years of resistance from Bush, was the seismic shift in policy that researchers across the country had been waiting for, says Noble, a URMC professor of Genetics.
"The significance here with the Obama administration is that we are finally freeing science from political agendas," he says.
URMC scientists were recently awarded $6.8 million in stem-cell research grants from the Empire State Stem Cell Board. The grants will be applied to research programs on cancer, neurological disorders, musculoskeletal diseases, and to build further understanding of the mechanics of stem-cell biology. The grant was part of Governor David Paterson's first major release of funding - more than $100 million - from the Empire State Stem Cell Board. The board has pledged more than $600 million in grants over 11 years.
Despite the toll that the economic downturn is taking on the scientific community, Noble says, Connecticut, California, New Jersey, and New York continue to invest in stem-cell research because of its tremendous promise to both health care and the economy.
"There is recognition out there that this type of science is capable of substantially reducing health-care costs," Noble says. "If you can cure diabetes with cell transplants versus ongoing treatment that costs this country $30 billion annually - for one disease - it becomes an investment, not just in our health-care system, but in our economic stability."
URMC is taking a lead role in understanding cancer stem cells, which tend to be remarkably resistant to most drug therapies. Some researchers believe that cancer's reoccurrence is linked to these "root cause" cells.
"One of our lead researchers, Craig Jordan, has found drugs that can target and kill these cancer stem cells, and that work has already gone to clinical trials," Noble says.
But more money is needed. Despite the economic potential for stem-cell research, "The budget for all federally funded scientific research is less than 7 percent of the annual military budget," Noble says.
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Comment by Harry Davis
In January of this year, I applied for a position with the Obama Health & Human Services (HHS) in DC. My goal was/is to bring back to Rochester & western New York State resources for stem cell research and regenerative medicine. My immediate motivation for this was the loss of most of my feet due to a near fatal attack of bacterial meningitis in March, 2001. I was hospitalized for one year because of this. While in the hospital, I watched as Bush declared stem cell research to be "immoral" or whatever words he used. btw, when he said these words from his Texas "ranch", it was the same August, 2001, the week that the CIA came to tell him Bin Laden was coming!
But, also under Bush, despite the ban, some very important stem cell research was being conducted by the Pentagon to regrow lost limbs. The idea is for a soldier to go to Iraq, and when his/her arm or leg is blown off, he/she goes into a tent and the limb is re-grown and he is back in action!
I connected with Dr. Mark Noble in 2002 and we have been friends since then. With a new president this year we also got a new & improved stem policy. So I applied to President Obama for a position to bring back these new resources to Rochester, the UofR, RIT & the western New York biotech corridor. I received a letter of recommendation from Dr. Noble and a very nice & helpful letter from Mayor Duffy to help me obtain this position. Part of the letter fom Dr. Noble states:
"Using his high profile visibility as a member of the Rochester City Council, Davis is promising to utilize his contacts with local and federal institutions - including community foundations - gained through his work with leaders in the newly emerging biotech field. Specifically, he will work with research scientists at the University of Rochester who are developing amazing discoveries which improve the lives of the afflicted.
"With his knowledge of the area, Davis can be particularly helpful in the development of the Western New York biotechnology corridor, a venture that will help create new jobs and discover new therapies, representing enormous growth potential here. Davis will dedicate his knowledge, passion and contacts to bring an abundant share of President Obama’s stimulus money to Rochester. Under President Obama, the former Bush administration’s limitations on stem cell research have been lifted, and funding of this important research will become not only a possibility, but also a priority."
"I believe that Mr. Davis would make a very important ally for the biomedical research community and for the patient advocacy community. He understands, from personal experience, the importance and need for the patient advocate, and he has invested the time and effort to understanding what is necessary to drive the process of scientific discovery forward. Moreover, his experience in the political process has given him first-hand knowledge about the kinds of efforts that are required to create political change."
"But more money is needed. Despite the economic potential for stem-cell research, "The budget for all federally funded scientific research is less than 7 percent of the annual military budget," Noble says.
City Council is a part-time job. It is my goal to work in Rochester to help develop downtown in a sensible way, using LEED guidelines, renewable energy, inter-modal transit systems and the High Speed Rail to bring Rochester into the 21st Century. At the same time, I hope to create a climate in western New York State by helping Dr. Noble & other researchers discover the tools necessary to enrich our lives.
Harry Davis
