Texas Gov. Rick Perry, a candidate for president, left off the campaign trail for a day to announce the formation of the Institute for Applied Cancer Research at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, according to the Houston Chronicle.
Why is Perry involved in this?
Perry is the governor of Texas and thus has involvement in the creation of a cancer research institute in Houston. Perry was able to burnish an image of someone who creates jobs, fosters health care, and is on the cutting edge of technology as he helped to announce the establishment of a new research center to find treatments to fight cancer. He might be eschewing presidential politics for a day, as the Chronicle suggests, but nothing Perry does can be but political as he persists in his quest for the presidency.
What is the Institute for Applied Cancer Research?
The institute has been established to develop and test cancer therapies that will treat tumors based on their genetic fingerprints. The institute will conduct trials of the drugs it develops in order to discover the optimal treatments for cancer. It will gather together top researchers who will work collaboratively with other cancer research organizations and private businesses. The goal is to greatly enhance the survival rates for a variety of cancers over the next 10 years.
The institute will staff 30 research scientists and will be funded by M.D. Anderson for at least $15 million a year, plus whatever external fundraising can be achieved. The goal is to raise $2.5 million the first year and $42 million by the fifth. Within two years, 70 research scientists will be employed at the institute.
Currently only 5 percent of cancer drugs survive from initial discovery to approved treatment. The institute's goal is to improve that rate using a new model for research and development.
Why locate the Institute at M.D. Anderson?
The M.D. Anderson Cancer Center is one of the most renowned cancer treatment centers in the world. However its reputation for clinical care has yet to be matched by a record for drug discovery and research. The Institute for Applied Cancer Research will remedy that situation, complimenting the operations of the cancer center by bringing new treatments to fruition.
On a broader note, the establishment of the institute is designed to help jump start a biotechnology industry in Texas. Such would not only diversify the business base on the state, but would generate more jobs and economic growth. Health care, considering an aging population, is one of the fastest growing industries in the western world. Finding cures for cancer that are both effective and cost effective will go a long way toward extending and improving the quality of life.
Texas resident Mark Whittington writes about state issues for the Yahoo! Contributor Network.
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