Texas Gov. Claims to be Seeking Cure for Cancer
by Communications
[2.26.2007]
Gov. Perry of Texas claims that his HPV vaccine mandate and Merck's campaign contribution were coincidental. It wasn't money, but rather the hope to offer a "cure for cancer" to Texas women and girls.
The Associated Press reported last week that a contribution to Gov. Perry's political campaign by Merck & Co. coincided with a meeting of Perry's staff regarding the HPV vaccine, which Merck manufactures. Though no allegations have been made, a spokesman for Perry has denounced any significant like between the two events. According to Perry himself,
"When a company comes to me and says we have a cure for cancer, for me not to say, 'Please come into my office and let's hear your story for the people of the state of Texas, for young ladies who are dying of cancer,' would be the height of irresponsibility," Perry said, adding, "Whether or not they contributed to my campaign, I would suggest to you, are some of those weeds that we are trying to cut our way through." When asked the date he decided to issue the executive order, Perry said, "I wish you all would quit splitting hairs, frankly, and get focused on, 'Are we going to be working together to find the cure for cancers?' No, I can't tell you when." (
News-Medical.net)
The drug Gardasil which the governor is apparently hyping as a "cure for cancer" is actually a vaccine against certain strains of the human papillomavirus, which can only be transmitted sexually.
