The comment came from Don Gibbons, chief communications officer for CIRM, in a comment on the Consumer Watchdog web site. Gibbons' comment was directed at the Consumer Watchdog news release that said CIRM funding for the research was trivial (see item below).
Gibbons said,
"Anyone who truly understands how research labs function would not call the CIRM training grant a trivial contribution."Gibbons continued,
"Also, it should be noted that CIRM did not write a press release or send anything to reporters."The document put out by CIRM can be found on the "press room" section of the agency's website under 2008 "press releases."
Gibbons' entire comment can be found on the Consumer Watchdog blog under the comments section following the news release by John M. Simpson, the group's stem cell project director.
I hate to whack you guys, but David and John, this is extremely silly. UCSD cites CIRM support in its press release. I'm sure CIRM support is cited in the publication since citing funding sources for published research is obligatory. Debating what role any dollar of support from any funder had or did not have is as stupid and pointless as the questions asked at the recent Democratic Presidential debate mucked up by ABC. We'll have to nickname you two "George" and "Charlie" if this keeps up.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments, Jeff. However, the criticism of CIRM's statement came from a well-regarded scientist. There is no doubt that CIRM funding played a role in the research, which the researcher acknowledged in her article. The question is whether CIRM overstated the significance of its funding.
ReplyDeleteWe'll have to nickname you two "George" and "Charlie" if this keeps up.
ReplyDeleteThats funny, good one.