Dr. Robert Cameron to Asbestos Defendants
- Do the Right Thing, Fund Research, Help Us Clean up Your Mess -
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Las Vegas Nevada, Dr. Robert Cameron was invited to speak in front of the Defense Research Institute, an organization of corporate attorneys and giant law firms, with big business clientele that require defending because of the Asbestos products that they have released on a largely ignorant public. Dr. Cameron wanted to pose the question, 'Why?' Why, has there been so little money poured into research looking to cure mesothelioma when it has cost these companies billions? Why have there been so many patients lives disregarded by the industries that have harmed them by selling this product that causes this disease?
Doctor Cameron said that he was excited, really excited about new research potential but frustrated at the same time because of lack of research dollars needed to fund these projects and suggested that
they could invest in new research and gave several promising avenues that could hold a cure in the future. He reminded them that it was even in their best interest to look for a solution.
To date,600,000 plaintiffs have filed suit involving over 6,000 defendants, with total costs expected to ultimately reach $200 billion.
Large "trust funds" have been created by a number of companies to compensate victims. If as little as 10% was diverted to research, over $20 Billion could be earmarked for mesothelioma research/treatment. A small price tag of only $2-3 million is needed for each to advance IL-4 toxin, cryotheraphy, and stromal cell research.
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The audience was interested in his presentation, but suggested that there was going to be expected "push back" on such a logical suggestion. Dr. Cameron suggested that money invested in converting meso from a fatal illness to a treatable disease, would not only engender public good will, but also perhaps limit future damages as successful patients would one day recover.
Dr. Cameron is the first doctor ever to ask the asbestos defense for their help in funding research. The moderator thanked the doctor for his compassion but said on the matter of will they ever step up to the plate and donate to research, he said it was “never gonna happen”. Then went on to say plaintiff lawyers bring in $100 million in fees per year, let them pay.
