20051230

Taiwanese doctors make breakthrough in bone marrow transplant operation

TAIWAN FIRST: In a breakthrough for worldwide leukemia treatment, NTU hospital doctors successfully gave Taiwanese bone marrow to a Vietnamese patient

By Jean Lin

STAFF REPORTER

The first ever international bone marrow transplant between non-relatives and the country, in which a Vietnamese patient received the bone marrow of a Taiwanese donor, has been completed successfully, doctors at National Taiwan University Hospital (NTUH) announced yesterday.

Chen Yao-chang, doctor of hematology and oncology, said the successful international cooperation between Taiwan and Vietnam showed that medical standards in the country are worthy of international recognition.

The 27-year-old Vietnamese patient, Huynhn Thanh Thuan, was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia -- a cancer of the blood-forming tissues of the bone marrow -- in January after suffering from headaches and a high fever.

With this type of leukemia, bone marrow failure occurs as malignant cells gradually replace the normal bone marrow, Chen said.

Thuan, himself a doctor, began chemotherapy at the Blood Transfusion Hematology Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, but could not find a matching bone marrow tissue type among his family and relatives.

Bone marrow is usually donated by a person whose tissue has the same genetic type as the patient needing the transplant. If no one in the recipient's family has the same tissue type, then the databases of the national bone marrow registry are checked for a tissue type match, doctors said.

Since NTUH doctors had helped the Vietnamese hospital establish its center for bone marrow transplants between 1993 and 1995, Thaun's doctors suggested that he seek the help of NTUH doctors in Taiwan.

Thanks to the help of the Vietnamese branch of the Tzu-chi Buddhist Compassionate Relief Foundation, Thuan was then transferred to NTUH in May to continue his treatment.

At about the same time a partial match from non-relative tissue was found using the foundation's Taiwanese bone marrow registry.

Partial matches can be risky but a complete tissue match is not necessarily required to conduct a successful transplant, Chen said.

Thuan then agreed to the transplant on Aug. 24.

Chen said that Thuan had successfully passed the 100-day observation period during which infections are most likely to occur.

Previously, non-relative bone marrow transplants had a 50 percent risk of triggering tissue rejection, but with improved anti-rejection drugs, the risks are now down to between 10 and 20 percent, Chen said.

Rejection symptoms can include infections or complications of the skin and liver, he said.

Yao Ming, Thuan's doctor in Taiwan, said that he was recovering from a minor infection and might have to remain in Taiwan till after the Lunar New Year in case of any relapse.

Thuan, who was at the conference, said that he was very lucky to have found a donor in Taiwan since he understood how low the possibilities of a tissue match were.

Chen said that with the bone marrow registry in Taiwan, tissue matches are found approximately 60 percent of the time for Chinese blood because of genetic factors, but as Thuan was Southeast Asian, this brought the percentage down to only around 10 percent.

"Thuan was extremely lucky to find a donor here in Taiwan, and for us, it is the first ever successful international non-relative bone marrow transplant," Chen said.

According to international regulations, the age and sex of the bone marrow donor and the time that the donation was made cannot be revealed until one year after the donation is made, Chen said.

Dalai Lama pans Panchen Lama’s comments on Tibet

The Tibetan spiritual leader rejected the rosy picture of life in Tibet portrayed by his fellow Lama and stressed the need for continued peaceful resistance

REUTERS, DHARAMSALA, INDIA

The Dalai Lama Said on Wednesday that the most senior Buddhist in Tibet had obviously wanted to please Chinese authorities by praising Tibet for its political stability and prosperity.

The 70-year-old Nobel Laureate painted a completely different picture of Tibet saying that torture and human rights abuses were still the norm.

The Dalai Lama, the head of Tibetan Buddhism and its and its political trruggle, sai he was saddened by reports monks had been killed and tortured by Chinese authorities ofr refusing to denounce him as a "separator" bent on damaging China.

"I had stressed if they have to denounce me then please denounce me－no problem," he said firmly in his palace beneath snow-tipped Himalayan peaks in northern India.

"Their safety is more important Just please denounce me," he said, wearing traditional Buddhist purple robes.

The Beijing sanctioned 11th Panchen Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, now 16 and who along with his parents is under China's protection, said in a rare interview with China's Xinhua news agency a few days ago that Tibet was open and happy.

"I've been to many places in the past decade and witnessed the ample freedom enjoyed by individuals and religious organizations alike. Living Budhhas like myself are able to perform religious rituals under the wing of the Chinese constitution and other laws," he said, according to Xinhua.

The Panchen Lama is the second most senior post in Tibet's main Gelugpa Buddhist sect after the Dalai Lama.

Before the young boy was chosen, the Chinese government removed another Panchen Lama who was chosen with the approval of the Dalai Lama－the exiled Tibet leader whom China calls a traitorous separatist.

Manv of Tibet's people remain secretly loyal to the Dalai Lama’s chosen Panchen Lama.

The young Panchen Lama's comments were rejected by the Dalai Lama and exiled supporters of Tibetan autonomy. Some say the teenager is a political prisoner.

"So, obviously the Panchen Lama has to speak what; his superiors want," said the Dalai Lama. "It is very difficult."

Analysts say the fact the young Panchen Lama was moved from Beijing to a town in Tibet and was allowed to speak publicly was a sign Beijing wants him to be heard more by Tibetans, possibly as a counter to the Dalai Lama.

The 11th Panchen Lama has led a tightly controlled and largely reclusive life since the Chinese government confirmed him in that role in 1995.

The Dalai Lama, who has widespread support from world leaders to Hollywood stars, says he faces increasing criticism from his own people over his peaceful push for more autonomy instead of fighting China for full independence.

"Criticism about my approach, not seeking separation, is growing, increasing, and my response to them is be patient. More patience, more patience," he said. "Otherwise, we have nothing to show them a positive result from our approach. So we find it more and more difficult to answer them."

Tibetan politicians and activists in exile say their youths are frustrated. Some want violence, remembering what they see as the glory of Tibet's guerrilla waragainst China four decades ago.

Falun Gong practitioner accuses China of persecution

By Shih Hsiu-chuan

STAFF REPORTER

A Falun Gong practitioner and former classmate of Chinese President Hu Jintao yesterday accused China of persecuting the organization.

Zhang Mengye, who escaped from China to Thailand last month after being tortured in a detention camp, is currently visiting Taiwan.

"In this free country [Taiwan], I appeal to my old classmate [Hu Jintao] to make the right decision for his administration by respecting Chinese people's right and religious beliefs and to stop destroying the morals of the people," Zhang said.

Zhang and his wife Luo Muluan applied for refugee status after arriving in Thailand and have recently been granted political asylum.

Before being arrested and sentenced to two years in a forced labor camp, Zhang was a former senior lecturer at Guangdong Provincial Electric Power School.

"My wife and I were arrested unexpectedly in January 2000 while asking police officers stationed near Tiananmen Square to deliver a letter to the Chinese Communist Party pleading for the rights of Falun Gong practitioners," he said.

Zhang said that while in detention he was once handcuffed to a tree for three consecutive days in an agonizing position in which he could neither squat nor stand.

Zhang was re-arrested in May 2002 and sent to a brainwashing center in Guangzhou City, where he said he was tied up and dunked head-first into a dirty toilet bowl, causing him to swallow the foul water.

He also brought a charge against Tsinghua University, where he and Hu had studied together, saying that it cooperated with the Chinese government to stamp out the Falun Gong.

Chen says arms bill will affirm Taiwan's resolve

NO ARMS RACE: The president said that the legislature should approve the arms-procurement package to show the world that Taiwan is determined to defend itself

By Chiu Yu-Tzu

STAFF REPORTER , WITH CNA

"I clearly understand the frustration of lower-level soldiers, who can not agree with the irrational opposition from legislators who have boycotted the arms-procurement budget package 43 times. Therefore I have to urge all legislators to be responsible and rational," Chen said.

The bill for the purchase of six Patriot III anti-missile batteries, eight conventional submarines and 12 P-3C Orion submarine-hunting aircraft from the US has been blocked from being put on the legislative agenda for over a year by lawmakers of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and People First Party, which between them hold a slim majority in the legislature.

Chen said that the Legislative Yuan's objections to the arms package were not only delaying the advancement of Taiwan's national defense capabilities, but also helping China to divide the people of Taiwan.

"It will also keep raising doubts in the international community about Taiwan's determination to defend itself," Chen said.

He said that all factors jeopardizing the safety of Taiwanese people and their property would have to be carefully considered.

"Maintaining Taiwan's sovereignty remains the core value behind upgrading our national defense capability. Although cross-strait trading activities have become more frequent, we cannot neglect the importance of national defense," Chen said.

Among the officers who gained their promotions yesterday, Major-General Chai Huei-chen is the first woman assigned to a combat command.

The president said that the military environment in Taiwan has been improved, and gender fairness has been ensured.

Meanwhile, in the latest weekly issue of the president's "A-bian E-Newsletter," which is slated to be published today, Chen said his New Year's Day address will center on the theme of the democratization of Taiwan.

He added that he would keep promoting Taiwan consciousness, democratic reform, and incorruptible governance.

Annette Lu: unflinching ambition meets unique style

VETERAN: With her brief stint at the helm of the DPP, Vice President Annette Lu has focused renewed attention on her goal of running in the next presidential election

By Jewel Huang

STAFF REPORTER

Whether Taiwan is ready for a female president or not, Vice President Annette Lu's recent performance as acting Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) chairwoman left voters to consider the possibility, as Lu has never hidden her ambition to run in the 2008 presidential election.

Acting as head of the DPP drew renewed attention to Lu's unique political style of standing up and speaking out for what she believes in. After former DPP chairman Su Tseng-chang resigned to take responsibility for the party's poor performance in the Dec. 3 elections, Lu took over as acting chairwoman and claimed to be implementing reforms within the party. However, she was faced with an overwhelming reaction from factions within the DPP, as well as rumors that President Chen Shui-bian was displeased with Lu's sweeping gestures.

But appealing to reform and integrity, Lu weathered the storm and secured the acting chairwomanship while consolidating her power base by demonstrating her extraordinary willpower to party members -- both her supporters and opponents.

Lu's political experience spanned the development of Taiwan's democracy. In the 1970s, Lu served as the vice president of Formosa Magazine, which represented a broad alliance of the so-called dangwai ("outside the party") activists.

She was sentenced to 12 years in prison by the then Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) government on a charge of "abetting a violent rebellion" for a 20-minute speech on the evening of the Kaohsiung Incident.

The incident, which occurred on Dec. 10, 1979, was a state crackdown on an anti-government parade organized by Formosa Magazine.

After spending almost six years in jail, Lu dedicated herself to advocating Taiwan's bid to join the UN and participated in various international conferences to promote Taiwanese independence.

After serving as a legislator for three years, Lu was elected Taoyuan County commissioner in 1997.

She won re-election in 1998.

In 2000, Lu became the first female vice president of Taiwan.

Within the DPP, Lu, who was educated at Harvard Law School, has been considered a maverick and some party members have privately criticized her for always acting on her own without regard for others' suggestions. She has also been described as difficult to work with.

Lu's outspokenness is a trait that sets her apart from from other local political figures.

Many people appreciate her bluntness, yet some think her headstrong manner stems from a self-centered personality.

"Lu is so straightforward that many DPP heavyweights have her in their sights as a potential adversary in the next presidential election," said Shih Cheng-feng, a professor at Tamkang University's Department of Public Administration.

But Lu's strong character and inflexible attitude might be the leadership that Taiwan needs now, Shih said.

"Lu's strong stance in confronting China is also another reason that many pro-independence supporters choose to stand by her," he said.

If the road to hell is paved with good intentions, then the government has finally found an infrastructure project that it can complete on schedule.

When a letter written by an anonymous "group" of military personnel was sent to the Ministry of National Defense (MND) complaining about pan-blue opposition to the arms procurement package, the military responded -- at first -- by saying it was neutral and would not comment on political matters.

This was the correct response. However, later comments made by the MND and the remarks of President Chen Shui-bian yesterday were misguided.

"I clearly understand the frustration of lower-level soldiers, who cannot agree with the irrational opposition from legislators who have boycotted the arms procurement package 43 times," Chen said.

Since coming to power in 2000, one of Chen's worthiest accomplishments has been progress in de-politicizing and "nationalizing" the military. Unfortunately for Chen, this is not something that lends itself well to rhetoric. It is difficult to explain to people how a non-partisan military affects their daily lives.

But one does not have to be a political science expert to believe that these efforts have already paid dividends. A politicized military would not have kept its mouth shut during the difficult period after last year's disputed presidential election. But the MND behaved admirably at a time when fanatics on both sides of the political spectrum were trying to drag it into the fray. The military did what it was supposed to do: Stay neutral and let democratic processes take their course.

But as difficulties beset the Chen administration, the pan-green camp stands in real danger of adopting the tactics used by its erstwhile enemies.

As Taiwan struggles to shape a workable democratic system out of the remains of a one-party state, its leaders are often tempted to use the mechanisms of authoritarianism -- vestiges of which remain at the government's disposal.

The problem is that this would be shortsighted and self-defeating. Although the pan-blue camp has gone to unreasonable lengths to block the arms procurement package, that is no reason for the pan-greens to abandon reason as they try to provide for Taiwan's defense.

Military personnel, of course, are also private citizens and are entitled to their political views. But they are under no circumstances entitled to "stand behind their uniforms" when presenting their politics.

The military personnel that sent the letter should be punished, for they have forsaken one of their most sacred duties. They have forgotten that they have sworn an oath not to a political party or a segment of society, but to their country. This country is a democracy; within it are people who embrace a host of differing views. As a member of the armed services, one has an obligation to defend all of them.

On the MND Web site's home page is a statement of the military's policy: "The Ministry of National Defense maintains an unwavering neutral stance in keeping with the policy of nationalization of the military."

But the same statement then continues: "At this time, the MND would like to reiterate its position on the national defense procurement legislation ..."

It is hypocritical to declare one's neutrality while simultaneously outlining a policy stance.

Certainly the government has made a strong case as to why the arms package is necessary. But how can any weapons system be worth the price of undermining civilian control of an impartial military?

A few days ago, the Taipei District Court ruled against President Chen Shui-bian in a lawsuit brought against him by former Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) chairman Lien Chan and People First Party (PFP) Chairman James Soong for his talk of a "failed attempt at a coup d'etat" and a "soft coup" in the aftermath of last year's presidential election.

Lien and Soong had demanded that Chen publish apologies in local newspapers and pay each of them NT$1 in symbolic damages. The reason given for the verdict was that the presidency is a national institution regulated by the Constitution, and as such, the president does not enjoy freedom of speech. The verdict has opened a legal debate as to whether the president should enjoy this right. This is not, however, a freedom of speech issue, but rather a matter of whether or not Chen, as the president, had the responsibility to make his view of the political situation at the time known and request that the public consider it.

The passage of time must not make us forget the seriousness of the situation at the time. There really were people who wanted to incite a coup d'etat. Whether or not they succeeded is beside the point. A "coup d'etat" is when a group of people or clique use military or political means to bring about a sudden change in a nation's political leadership. The violent mass protests that occurred in the wake of last year's presidential election were an attempt to bring about not only sudden political change, but a revolution. Then PFP legislator Chiu Yi shouted in public that "the horn of revolution is calling" while leading charges on state institutions in a public call for violent revolution. Some other politicians called on the army to step up, and that is a call for a coup d'etat.

Taking another look at the US government's congratulatory telegram makes the issue clearer still. The telegram praises the Taiwanese public for relying on existing legal structures to resolve differences of opinion while rejecting extra-legal options and violence that would have put democratic principles at risk. This was aimed at the above mentioned methods which sought to spark a coup d'etat.

When the US' congratulatory telegram arrived, China had already issued a statement saying that it would not sit idly by if the situation in Taiwan spun out of control and deteriorated into social turmoil endangering the safety and property of Taiwanese compatriots, as well as peace in the Taiwan Strait.

In case someone is still unclear on the relationship between this statement and the protests, Lien's talk about joining hands with China to suppress Taiwan independence during his tributary mission to Beijing a year later should dispel any remaining doubts.

It is clear that joining hands with Beijing to suppress Taiwan independence is yet another extra-legal measure. It begins as a political measure, but once China undertakes military exercises or invades Taiwan, it has turned into a military measure. This also explains why the US paid such close attention to Lien and Soong's use of extra-legal methods.

Regardless of whether they actually tried to bring about a coup d'etat, their aim was to provide the conditions required for a Chinese invasion. We should be glad that pan-blue supporters were brought back to their senses by the Chinese Communist Party's intervention and the US' warnings instead of continuing to follow the lead of Lien and Soong.

The fact that the arms procurement bill still hasn't been passed, however, is yet another manifestation of the attempt to join hands with China to suppress Taiwan independence. KMT Chairman Ma Ying-jeou cannot escape responsibility for helping to facilitate a Chinese invasion.

Chen's statements were thus absolutely correct, and a warning of sorts. The general public is owed a clear explanation as to why legal action has not been taken against concerned individuals or why they have not been disciplined. It is precisely because such action has not been taken that the issue of right and wrong has become blurred, and this has given these individuals a chance to strike back.

In terms of cross-strait economic and trade issues, those who advocate "going west" -- ?namely, expanding investments in China -- have been portrayed as liberal and wise. On the contrary, legal restrictions and government actions that protect the public interest, and the assets and safety of the Taiwanese people, have been portrayed as conservative and stubborn. Such naivety puts Taiwan's economic achievements at the mercy of development based on populist ideology.

Many readers will recall the sensation caused by fruit exports to China. In July, Beijing invited both the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and the Farmers' Association of Taiwan Province to discuss this. Anyone of good sense could tell that this was a politically motivated move. Thanks to certain political parties, however, exporting fruit to China was publicized as the best way of boosting the income of local farmers.

As President Chen Shui-bian repeatedly warned, food quarantine and safety standards are much lower in China. And, even though Taiwanese fruits were granted tariff-free status, they would have to compete with cheap products from Southeastern Asia. Once the novelty of fruits from Taiwan wore off, profit margins would be squeezed and our farmers would have no choice but to cut prices, the the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government warned.

The Council of Agriculture repeatedly stressed that issues involving public rights should be handled by the government or authorized agencies so that a trade agreement could be reached that would protect farmers' rights. However, politicians and media with with their own agendas criticized the DPP government, saying that they were "sacrificing the interests of disadvantaged groups" for the sake of ideology.

Within six months, the pro-unification media were forced to eat their words and to admit that Taiwanese fruit fever in China had cooled substantially. Stands selling Taiwanese fruits in stores in Beijing were half the size they had been, and business was down by more than 50 percent.

Apart from the novelty having worn off, this was also the result of much fruit from Guangdong and Hainan Provinces having been labelled as being from Taiwan. Thus, the market was flooded with low-quality counterfeits. Even some wax apples exported from Thailand to China were labelled as coming from Taiwan. The Chinese government's failure to crack down on counterfeits and a lack of a classification system contributed to Taiwanese farmers being unable to secure a steady market.

Taiwanese farmers exporting fruits to China continue to face significant hurdles and the reputation of Taiwanese fruits has been damaged even before the farmers have begun to profit. In hindsight, the government's fears have been realized.

In light of these developments, the executive should not be fooled into acceding to the Chinese National Association of Industry and Commerce's request that it cancel the 40 percent cap on China-bound investment by Taiwanese companies (Taiwanese businesses are banned from investing over 40 percent of their net value in China). Rather, it should carefully consider the risks. For example, if the investment ceiling is canceled, how will the flood of business relocation affect Taiwan's unemployment rate? And how will the capital outflow to China further marginalize Taiwan?

In recognition of the complex relationship created by investments in China, the government needs to have firm policies. The media should also view this from the perspective of public interest and should honestly uncover the failure of many Taiwanese businesses in China, so as not to lead the nation to its ruin.