This weekend had me at the Children with Diabetes’ Focus on Technology in Crystal City Virginia or right next to Washington D.C. In as much as i so enjoy speaking to these great people. I’m also always there to learn as well. You can never have too much knowledge when it comes to diabetes, and I have so much more to learn.
I had the wonderful opportunity to hear Dr. Ken Moritsugu, the former Surgeon General for the United States (some of their speaker’s resumes are quite impressive). And he spoke om Health Literacy. I wish everyone could have heard him. Being involved as much as I am with the DIabetes Research Institute, I am constantly asked by someone; “What do you think of this research that I just read?”
I think that anything that will better keep our kids healthy or take us one more step closer to a cure is what all of us look for daily.
But be warned.
A few simple steps might help us understand what is real, or close to a reality; and what has much further to go.
1. Consider the source. People are doing research all the time, where are you reading it? Is the information coming from a reputable scientifically respected magazine. Because something is posted at a conference does not necessarily mean it will be a reality in the near future. Know where the source is and how reputable is it?
2. Is anyone else able to duplicate the science. Is it being done in a secret bubble or does the science make sense. Is the field excited about the findings or is the excitement only coming from the lab doing the work.
3. Where in the research cycle is the science. Is it still basic science or being done only in a mouse or is it in larger animal models like primates or in human clinical trials.
Ask your self these questions when you read something. It is a basic guide and most of all; ask a million questions. If the science is real, so too should the answers.
Diabetes has been cured in a mouse over 300 times. in as much as the science is important in the early stages, it takes a lot to be testing it in humans. Make sure you know what the science is about before getting too excited. Our kids are not mice.
I am a diabetes dad.
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