by
Jim O'Hara
Submitted to the Star Banner, November 27, 2001
Editor,
Good news. Researchers announced progress has been made in making stem cell research useful for human beings. Robert Lanza, vice-president of Advanced Cell Technology, states their intention is "...to make lifesaving therapies for a wide range of human disease conditions, including diabetes, strokes, cancer, AIDS, and neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease." If successful, these therapies could help save the lives of many Americans who lives now are cut short by these diseases.
Lanza emphasizes his organization has no interest in cloning human beings and would support a legal ban on cloning human beings..
Several months ago, President Bush approved the use of federal funds for stem cell research with embryos already scheduled to be discarded. Privately funded research was not affected by his ruling.
Vatican officials condemn embryonic stem cell research. Officials said it is their religious belief that an embryo created in a petri dish in a laboratory actually is a human being and should not be sacrificed to save the lives of other human beings. Representative Jim Greenwood, Republican of PA, said, "These people are treating this issue the way they treated Copernicus and Galileo" centuries ago.
President Bush said he doesn't want to lose "the Catholic vote"; so, bowing to the Vatican, he has called for a ban on all embryo stem cell research, including privately funded research.
Surveys report many Americans oppose the cloning of human beings. However, such surveys also report many Americans approve the use of stem cell research to discover lifesaving therapies for the Americans whose lives now are cut short by these diseases. This sentiment is particularly true of persons who know people who need new, valid lifesaving therapies to keep them alive.
Members of the National Academy of Science support stem cell research.
Our lawmakers must make a decision on this issue based on what is in the best interest of
our nation. Continuing embryonic stem cell research is in the best interest of our nation
and must go on.
James M. O'Hara
