An attempt has been made to sheet the blame to the journalist involved. Several publishing houses let it be known that the reporter had circulated a commercial proposal for a book about the Folkman research. A more likely element in the blaze of uncritical publicity was the large profits anticipated to flow from any cancer cure. The stockmarket responded to the New York Times article by sending the price of pharmaceutical company shares soaring. Spearheading the frenzy was EntreMed Inc, the company involved in the research and manufacture of angiostatin and endostatin.
Cancer treatment is big business.
The giant pharmaceutical companies heavily fund cancer research which is likely to lead to products marketable to those who can afford to pay. In such an atmosphere, it is little wonder that a promising new cancer treatment is reported more like a new oil exploration find in Borneo or a gold strike in Africa, than soberly assessed for its likely benefits for millions of patients around the world. The WSWS invites your comments. Please send e-mail .