Bill based on anything but science

Another legislative bill based on anything but science.

Recently bill 1036 was proudly introduced by Senator Brandon Shippy of District 9. It places a moratorium on gene therapy and supports this by presenting a single case of injury after a J & J vaccination. I then wrote him the following e-mail:

“My name is Georgia Earley. I’m a retired RN. Your proposed S1036 moratorium on human gene therapy has nothing to do with the J & J COVID vaccine that Mr. Doug Cameron had received. For your edification the J & J vaccine is a vector vaccine, not gene therapy.

And if your moratorium is based on one bad outcome of a particular therapy, then consider this: in the United States, between 500 and 1,000 people die from anaphylaxis each year from antibiotics. Because of those known risks, would you recommend that we stop using those medications?

Another question relevant to your concerns is exactly what “caution, transparency, and rigorous oversight in the deployment of these treatments” would you suggest that the FDA, the NIH, and the RAC employ in addition to the clinical trials and scientific research that they do currently?

This bill is a perfect example of why government officials are not qualified to make medical decisions for individuals. Those decisions should remain between one’s doctors and themselves. And bills like this show your constituents that members of legislature are likely not to be knowledgeable enough to make credible decisions about science. If you have concerns perhaps it would be better to discuss it with those who are knowledgeable rather than to make laws that stops medical progress that could benefit millions.”

GEORGIA EARLEY

Bonners Ferry