Dear Editor:
Christopher Reeve died after being paralyzed for nine years
after falling from a horse. Embryonic stem cell research may
someday very soon provide a cure for some spinal cord injuries,
such as the type that Reeve suffered.
Dear Editor:
Christopher Reeve died after being paralyzed for nine years after falling from a horse. Embryonic stem cell research may someday very soon provide a cure for some spinal cord injuries, such as the type that Reeve suffered. Embryonic Stem cells hold out the possibility of curing Alzheimer’s Parkinson’s and other debilitating diseases.
Mr. David Kaeini claims that from a moral position embryonic stem cells should not be used for medical purposes, based on a religious view of when life begins. Biologically, it is a fact that new life is created at the moment of conception, when sperm and egg combine, creating a genetically unique being. He should be aware that the stem cells taken from surplus embryos that are created by artificial insemination for use in treating female infertility and would otherwise be discarded.
If Mr. Kaeini has a moral objection, it should be that embryos should not be created for treating infertility because of the likelihood that they will be destroyed. Since these embryos would inevitably be destroyed, logic would dictate that they should be used for some good purpose. Science is often at odds with religion, but on the issue of embryonic stem cells the correct moral position is to use them to benefit mankind by curing disease.
Warren Seifert, Gilroy
