The CDC - Thwarting a Cure for Morgellons?

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention is in the process of investigating what may be a new infectious disease. In 2006, the Center began a process of researching a dermatological condition affecting some 1,200 people in the United States. Although researchers gave this dermopathy the name of "Morgellons Disease," in 2004, the CDC did not take action until several reports about the condition began surfacing on local and national television programs. Although the CDC maintains that it was inquiries from concerned individuals that prompted the investigation.

Inquiries into the CDC revealed that the center knows very little about the disease and will not commit to any answers regarding Morgellons Disease. The center does not admit that the disease exists and merely informs anyone who asks to visit their website. They do admit that they are "looking into" a variety of causes for an unknown dermatological etiology.

As someone who was just doing a bit of investigative journalism into an obscure disease, I found myself getting extremely frustrated with the CDC as I made repeated telephone calls to their office. The first person I spoke to said they had "never heard of Morgellons Disease." I hung up and after an hour, called back. I got another person on the phone who curtly informed me that the CDC was "looking into various reports about this 'syndrome" but that it was nothing to worry about as it did not appear to be caused by biological terror. I made no mention of the prospect of the disease being caused by bio-terror, so this information was strange.

I waited another day and then called again. The person I spoke to this time was kind enough to inform me of the truth. That the CDC knew nothing about the cause of Morgellons, that they were still in the process of investigating the matter and that they hoped to have an answer soon. She then calmly told me "not to panic."

I was not panicking. I am fortunate enough not to suffer from this debilitating illness. But I imagine that if I was, or worse, if one of my children were suffering, I would remain extremely frustrated by the CDC's hedging of my questions. I also found it curious that not one person that I spoke to referred me to the Morgellons Research Foundation.

The CDC is a federal agency. When people begin writing their congressman about concerns over a possible contagious disease, the CDC gets involved. The purpose of the agency is to investigate disease causes and possible cures, or prevention if possible. As of now, the CDC has a panel of 12 people, including two pathologists, a toxicologist, an ethicist, a mental health expert and specialists in infectious, parasitic, environmental and chronic diseases examining Morgellons disease. As of today, their reports have been inconclusive.

What does it take before governmental agencies, funded by taxpayer's dollars, sit up and take notice of something that can easily become an epidemic? What does it take for them to conduct a clinical trial on fibers that appear to be produced by bodies attempting to rid themselves of toxins?

Are there any celebrities out there looking for work? Many of them live to get their names in the press; perhaps Morgellons can be their ticket to a renewed career.

It's estimated that about 10,000 American families are affected by this disease. What does it take before our government and the agencies we fund to protect us take notice?

To find out more about Morgellons, visit their website here.