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My friend said last night that there are some people that believe they don't want to find a cure for cancer.

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kaponofor3

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Posted: Feb. 8, 2013 - 11:20 PM ET #26

Quote Originally Posted by ClubDirt:

this thread seems like it's turning towards the 9/11 didn't really happen path. a shitload of people get cancer every year. how is there no money in curing it?

Sure does.

Think about all of the advancements of the industrial era and how many of these advances are found to be carcinogenic... those things aren't going away. And people think that there are enough "forces" in the world trying to keep people down who are just insanely evil and want to keep people sick and dying instead of keeping those people alive so they can buy other things. The reason we haven't cured "cancer" yet is not because of some cabal of capitalists repressing cures -- and anyone who thinks that it is happening is: (a) completely drinking the kool-aid, (b) preaching pseudoscience as hope, or (c) trying to sell you something. The reason we haven't cured "cancer" is because its an incredibly complex series of disease conditions that is not susceptible to one cure-all (based on current medical understanding) -- thats it. The reputational, financial, and historical incentives to do it are outstanding.

You're really telling me one of the many pharmaceutical companies in this world wouldn't want to be the company that founded and patented the cure for cancer? Is there a better tagline for a company: "[xxxx] -- we cured cancer". Boom, your company goes down in history immediately and forever. Those evil corporations are always acting in what is the best financial interests, and the potential reward is massive, just massive to "cure" cancer if it could be done scientifically. The problem is that it can't be done based on current scientific knowledge and ability.

kaponofor3

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Posted: Feb. 8, 2013 - 11:24 PM ET #27

An excellent book on the history of cancer and its current treatments:

https://www.amazon.com/Emperor-All-Maladies-Biography-Cancer/dp/1439170916

Jose_Reyes

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Posted: Feb. 8, 2013 - 11:52 PM ET #28

It seems to me there is more money to be made treating cancer, than curing cancer. The money made from treatment can also be spread around the community, lining many pockets, rather than monopolized by whomever has the cure.

SteelCash

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Posted: Feb. 9, 2013 - 12:19 AM ET #29

There would be money in it Club... just not enough. And only one company or one individual would benefit. However, currently, there are thousands of companies benefiting and making a mint from the treatment of cancer. What don't you understand?

spocsstocks

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Posts: 1263

Posted: Feb. 9, 2013 - 12:50 AM ET #30

I dont know but iv'e wondered this myself. What i will say is i worked at a gas station for a couple year time period. When the relay for life can was set out one of the bosses i worked with let a employee take a 20 out because she needed money before we got our checks. She never repaid it. I cant say about the cure, but i would be leary where you give money and make sure you know what its going for. Dont just drop a 20 in a can in a convienence store because you dont know where that money might end up. Someone can just pick it up and keep it and no one will know the difference.

cd329

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Posted: Feb. 9, 2013 - 3:28 AM ET #31

Kapo, take the blinders off and you might actually understand how the real world operates and the people who control it.

Sorry i dont buy your high complex theroy. Like everything in life, all you gotta do is follow the money

You think the drug company that cures cancer will make more money, then if they dont cure it and instead just keep treating it?

Like i said, when there is another money making disease to take cancers place, you will see cancer cured so fast, your head will spin.

cd329

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Posted: Feb. 9, 2013 - 3:34 AM ET #32

Quote Originally Posted by SteelCash:

There would be money in it Club... just not enough. And only one company or one individual would benefit. However, currently, there are thousands of companies benefiting and making a mint from the treatment of cancer. What don't you understand?

Its incredible how some people are so trusting and dont believe something so evil as very rich powerful companies not wanting to cure cancer and instead just keep treating it, could ever be happening in this great society we live in, blows my mind.

also people seem to forgot deaths by cancer, helps with population control, which am sure these same people would never believe could happen.

Do these folks not realize what would happen to the ecconomy and world if diseases all got cured and everybody was living to a 100

some just cant see the forest thru the trees

cd329

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Posted: Feb. 9, 2013 - 3:37 AM ET #33

and yes, i know the thought of this really happening sounds sick and crazy, but the truth is the human race is filled with greed and corruption. were just not a good society and thats sad

JEFFMARKETCAP

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Posts: 56261

Posted: Feb. 9, 2013 - 9:00 AM ET #34

I agree that they have no interest in curing cancer. They only want to treat it. Also I think there will be a huge spike in cancer from cell phone usage. That should hit us in about 20 years or so now that everyone has a cell phone and pretty much ditched their land line phones.

SteelCash

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Posted: Feb. 9, 2013 - 2:13 PM ET #35

If someone would come up with a cure it wouldn't see the light of day I guarantee that.

konabuzz

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Posts: 6293

Posted: Feb. 9, 2013 - 2:35 PM ET #36

Quote Originally Posted by SteelCash:

If someone would come up with a cure it wouldn't see the light of day I guarantee that.

As cynical as it makes me feel, I tend to agree.

Henry-Lilly

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Joined: Nov, 2007

Posts: 10502

Posted: Feb. 9, 2013 - 8:59 PM ET #37

Quote Originally Posted by kaponofor3:

Sure does.

Think about all of the advancements of the industrial era and how many of these advances are found to be carcinogenic... those things aren't going away. And people think that there are enough "forces" in the world trying to keep people down who are just insanely evil and want to keep people sick and dying instead of keeping those people alive so they can buy other things. The reason we haven't cured "cancer" yet is not because of some cabal of capitalists repressing cures -- and anyone who thinks that it is happening is: (a) completely drinking the kool-aid, (b) preaching pseudoscience as hope, or (c) trying to sell you something. The reason we haven't cured "cancer" is because its an incredibly complex series of disease conditions that is not susceptible to one cure-all (based on current medical understanding) -- thats it. The reputational, financial, and historical incentives to do it are outstanding.

You're really telling me one of the many pharmaceutical companies in this world wouldn't want to be the company that founded and patented the cure for cancer? Is there a better tagline for a company: "[xxxx] -- we cured cancer". Boom, your company goes down in history immediately and forever. Those evil corporations are always acting in what is the best financial interests, and the potential reward is massive, just massive to "cure" cancer if it could be done scientifically. The problem is that it can't be done based on current scientific knowledge and ability.

There is much more money in treating cancer than there will ever be in a cure. Good thing you went into law and not business.

ClubDirt

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Posted: Feb. 9, 2013 - 9:44 PM ET #38

saw this video today and thought it was consistent with this thread. doctors oppose mandatory nutrition education. i would say that nutrition may be the most important information a doctor could give most patients. if people ate right, they wouldn't be going to the doctor as often for various problems. but maybe that's the point in avoiding nutrition education.

https://nutritionfacts.org/video/medical-associations-oppose-bill-to-mandate-nutrition-training/

thegreat30

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Posts: 186

Posted: Feb. 9, 2013 - 11:08 PM ET #39

Quote Originally Posted by kaponofor3:

Nevermind the fact that the company or individual who patented the "cure for cancer" would make BUCKETLOADS of money. If it is money that is motivating people from not getting a cure, there would be fifty times that money in actually finding and manufacturing a cure.

I agree that the world is fucked up to the point that I kind of agree and disagree with this. Vaccines don't make nearly as much as cures. They would likely produce the cure in a vaccine form which would make money but not nearly as much as all these high tech treatments they have.

animals26

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Posted: Feb. 9, 2013 - 11:49 PM ET #40

If XYZ cancer/diabetes society/foundation found a cure they've been "looking for the whole time," they would instantly be out of business because there would be no need for them anymore since their "work is done." I believe most diseases can be cured with what whatever creator of us you believe in gave us. Our minds, herbs, essential oils etc. which are NOT patentable because anyone can grow them in their yards.

animals26

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Posted: Feb. 9, 2013 - 11:51 PM ET #41

I just happen to be listening to "Everybody Wants To Rule The World" by Tears For Fears ironically enough. Seems fitting.

wizardofroz

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Posts: 6768

Posted: Feb. 10, 2013 - 1:06 AM ET #42

Quote Originally Posted by Henry-Lilly:

Cancer is a golden goose. You don't kill the golden goose.

As morbid as this sounds, I agree completely. A cure for cancer would kill a lot of the profits for pharmaceutical companies and hospitals, and our government is not going to let that happen, as long as their lobby keeps greasing our politician's palms.

wizardofroz

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Posted: Feb. 10, 2013 - 1:15 AM ET #43

If money has nothing to do with the inabilty to find a cure like some here surmise, why is malaria a huge problem in Africa, but virtually non-existent in the USA?

Also, cures for polio and leprosy were found when technology was not so advanced. However, with all the brilliant scientists we have today, and the huge money poured into research, no one has found a cure for cancer?

The Hawk

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Posts: 19693

Posted: Feb. 10, 2013 - 1:41 AM ET #44

Somebody forgot to tell the folks at Genentech. I worked at Genentech up in Vacaville, Ca. for a few years. I'm no scientist, I just draw stuff. What Genentech does is create drugs that nobody else does. They created Herceptin, a breast cancer drug, and they crank that out 24/7. When you create a drug that nobody else has and patent it, you get the right to sell it for 7 years before anybody else can create a generic or knock-off drug that is even close to it. Check out how much money Herceptin has made..........it's quite a lot...........

Ever hear of nanotechnology? They have. What they are working on now boggles the mind. Nanotechnology deals with very small machines. So small, they could fit in a syringe. They are working on a drug that will take these small "robots" that seek out cancer cells, attach themselves to the cancer cell, and inject it with a poison that kills only the cancerous cells, not healthy live cells. Will this happen overnight? No. In your lifetime? I would bet yes. Can you imagine the profits if IT DOES work?

BTW, breast cancer has DECREASED in the last five years, not that anyone is looking for a cure or anything...........

jmw59

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Posts: 14430

Posted: Feb. 10, 2013 - 8:15 AM ET #45

same with MD. Lost a brother to that one. The medical community cannot be trusted imo

ClubDirt

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Posted: Feb. 10, 2013 - 10:01 AM ET #46

i don't understand how a company finding a cure would put a company out of business. there is a difference between a cure and a vaccine. with a cure, there would still be as many cancer patients as before, which is a lot. and again, if there was a vaccine, i highly doubt there would be a one size fits all cure since there are so many types and variations of cancer.

i think our government is corrupt as anyone but i just don't understand this thread at all other than the point that there is more money in treatment in cures but there is a shitload of money in a cure. plus, whomeever made the cure would probably be the most famous scitnetist in recent world history whose name would live forever. is no one interested in that? and it's not just our government. there are multibillion dollar companies out there who might have their own agenda to be the company to make tens of billions on a cancer cure.

Henry-Lilly

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Posted: Feb. 10, 2013 - 10:18 AM ET #47

According to the New York Times:

"Virtually every large pharmaceutical company seems to have discovered cancer, and a substantial portion of the smaller biotechnology companies are focused on it as well. Together, the companies are pouring billions of dollars into developing cancer drugs."

Note they said drugs, not cures. That's because this industry isn't set up for a cure, even though they say that's what they're looking for. It's also why economic forecasts predict 20 million new cancers by 2025, with the $50 billion-a-year cancer treatment business increasing by 15 percent a year. Pfizer alone projects its annual cancer drug returns will be $11 billion by 2018.

kaponofor3

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Posted: Feb. 10, 2013 - 10:30 AM ET #48

CD, Hawk

For all the power corporations have around the world, it would 100% be in the best interest of a corporation to find and develop a cure. They'd have seven years of selling it exclusively. You know how much money that would generate? On the scale of tens of billions in addition to the worldwide fame and admiration. These corporate actors always act in their self-interest, and it would be in their self-interest to find and develop a cure.

The reason it hasnt been found is simple: its an extremely complex disease condition. Nothing more, nothing less.