Stem Cell Research: Question of Definition
Re “Stem Cell Hypocrisy,†editorial, May 26: Presumably because he believes it is for the overall good, President Bush is perfectly willing to sacrifice the lives of more than 1,600 American troops and thousands of Iraqis in Iraq. Yet based on religious conviction he intends to veto the stem cell bill because it will permit the destruction of embryos from which the stem cells are extracted. Contrary to the fully mature, real people being killed in Iraq, the affected embryos consist of clumps of undifferentiated cells that will be discarded unless they are used for scientific research.
If the Iraq cause is worth thousands of real lives, surely the sacrifice of clumps of unwanted cells that may lead to the cure of devastating diseases is morally and scientifically justified.
Sylvan Gollin
Claremont
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Re “House Defies the President on Stem Cells,†May 25: Shouldn’t you make the clear distinction that no one is against stem cell research, and that the controversy only involves embryonic stem cell research? No one doubts the value of stem cells. The problem is: Why should it come from embryos?
There are lots of sources of stem cells from one’s own body. There are also lots of technologies available, or that could be developed, to propagate these stem cells in vitro.
So why should the use of embryos be pushed? Is this just another justification for abortion?
I believe Bush is not against stem cell research. His objection is with having to use embryos as sources of stem cells. However, the titles you have been using for your articles give readers the impression that the president is against all forms of stem cell research. This should be corrected.
Gerardo S. Esguerra
Los Angeles
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House Majority Leader Tom DeLay describes discarded frozen microscopic embryos as “unique, living, integrated human persons.†My mother had Parkinson’s disease for 25 years. Her personhood was slowly and tragically taken from her bit by bit. She was actually alive, a truly unique and integrated human. Why is a life like hers less valuable to Bush and DeLay than these little wads of cells?
Loretta Y. Howitt MD
Los Angeles
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OK, so if an embryo is truly a human life, can someone please tell me on what day God created the petri dish?
Barbara Rosen
Fullerton
