July 17, 1961

Honorable Sidney R. Yates

U. Se House of Representatives
House Office Building
Washington 25, D. C.

Dear sid,

Upon my return to Washington my attention was
called to your recent letter enclosing the one you had
received from Mrs. Lucille Strauss concerning the matter
of medical research in the interest of diabetic children,

Upon specific inquiry of the Director of the
National Institute of Arthritis and Metabolic Diseases
I have been informed that much of what Mrs. Strauss would
like to see done is, in fact, being actively carried out.

It is my understanding that there exists an
integrated and well diversified program of Federal support
of research in the field of diabetes which is centered in
the National Institute of Arthritis and Metabolic Diseases.
This program is similar to the programs of Federal subsidi-
zation of heart, cancer, and arthritis research. Under
this program funds for research in diabetes are made
available to qualified laboratory and clinical scientists
in universities, medical centers, and research institutes
throughout the United States. In addition, a substantial
research effort in diabetes is undertaken directly by the
National Institute of Arthritis and Metabolic Diseases in
its laboratories and in the Clinical Center in Bethesda
which it shares with other National Institutes whose
respective interests are in the fields of cancer, heart
disease and other major health problems.
In addition to supporting clinical and fundamental
research related to diabetes, the National Institute of
Arthritis and Metabolic Diseases also supports the training
of qualified physicians in the special area of diabetes in
an effort to enable promising scientists to take up research
and teaching in this important field. It is not correct to
assume that large appropriations for heart and cancer research
severely handicap studies in the field of diabetes; all major
Giseases are under a concerted research attack supported by
the National Institutes of Health and, in fact, many times
the research advances in one area serve to throw badly needed
light into another. Within this overall framework, the Congress
has allocated gradually increasing funds for the fight on diabetes.

An important consideration, in addition to that of
financing, is the extremely difficult subject matter ~-- diabetes <<
itself. Tremendous progress has been made in this area during
our lifetime. Before the discovery of insulin this disorder
amounted to an automatic death sentence for diabetic children,
and it condemned persons in whom it appeared later in life to
a gradual but assured decline with much suffering and at
ineapacitation. The discovery of insulin and the continuous
improvements in insulin therapy which have been worked out
ever the years have basically changed this picture, permitting
more patients a fairly normal, constructive life. A subsequent
advance, the discovery of a variety of oral antidiabetic drugs,
has liberated a substantial portion of diabetic patients f
the unpleasant task of daily injections. \

According to information furnished me it has just
recently been found that in certain cases oral drugs can be |
given to children to assist in their regulation by insulin. ae
appears that the use of today’s oral drugs in children will not
replace their need for insulin, but it should make their \
regulation easier. Devoted research workers are doing all
in their power to find new avenues of control for diabetes so
that there is much hope that future findings will lead to  , |
improved health of juvenile diabetics. PA

\

It has been suggested that this group of Chicago mothers |
of diabetic children contact the American Diabetes Association

in its efforts to organize. It is true that in contrast to the
| major voluntary health agencies, the American Diabetes
Association is primarily a professional society of
diabetes specialists and does not engage in fund raising.
Through its lay auxiliaries however, I understand it does
very worthwhile work in disseminating information and

- educating patients, and those who care for them, in the
most effective current methods of diabetes control.

: Mrs. Strauss’ concern for the plight of the mothers
of diabetic children certainly reflects credit on her. It

is hoped that some of this information will serve to

reassure her that the Congress is aware of the gravity of the
problem of diabetes. Further, the National Institute of
Arthritis and Metabolic Diseases which is vested with the
responsibility for meeting this problem, and the many
scientists and physicians supported by it in their
investigations, are doing everything in their power to
provide effective answers to it.

If I may be of any further service to you I’m sure
you know I'll be most happy to hear from you.

With warmest regards,

Sincerely,

John E. Fogarty
Member of Congress