By: Mary Mostert, Analyst, Banner of Liberty, (www.bannerofliberty.com)
August 7, 2001
As citizens begin to understand the issues involved in the Stem Cell Research and Cloning issues, that are being debated in the Congress and the media, they are beginning to speak up. A reader, Marty Card, sent me a letter he and his wife wrote to President Bush on this subject in which he urged the President to "Stick to your values and Vote for Life!" on the embryonic Stem Cell Research debate.
I am also printing Democrat Congressman Jim McDermott's speech on the floor of the house on this subject. McDermott begins his speech by calling the Catholic Church's concern about the morality of killing embryos for medical research merely "politics." Further on he ridicules the idea of adoption of embryos because, he says, would not work because "The vast majority of couples do not want to donate their genes to strangers."
Really? Couples would be so devoted to their genes that they don't want them adopted by strangers, but have no qualms about just throwing away a living offspring? Does this seem a little confused? In his e-mail to me, Marty Card questioned whether it would do any good or whether the President would ever see it. Perhaps if only a couple of people write to the President encouraging him to take a moral stance during this critical time when he is making up his mind, it won't make any difference.
However, now IS the time to write to President George W. Bush. (president@whitehouse.gov) This is an issue that, once decided, will affect America's culture for generations to come. Great strides in medicine have been made with adult stem cell research. We are at the threshold of even greater strides. However, at stake here is what Dr. Albert Schweitzer, called "reverence for life." Dr. Schweitzer died in 1965 at the age of 90. In 1957 he went on record in opposition to further atomic weapons testing in the atmosphere because of the danger radioactive fallout posed to human beings. He certainly, if still living, would agree with Marty Card. Stem cell research should not be polluted by using the unborn as if they were laboratory mice.
Those who believe life is sacred know that embryos are human beings. Killing and using them for body parts is akin to cannibalism. Those who already have concluded it's OK to kill the unborn for convenience sake desperately want to be validated by claiming that killing them for research is really a "pro-life" position.
We have not even seriously begun research using now readily available stem cells from placentas because the technology for extracting them has only recently been announced. We are only at the beginning in using adult stem cell therapy. In McDermott's speech, he claimed expertise because he is a medical doctor. Yet, he hasn't practiced medicine since stem cell therapy has been developed and he doesn't seem to know what he is talking about. He doesn't even mention stem cells now available from legitimate sources, such as placentas, sources that do not require the death of another human life. Below is Marty's letter.
President Bush,My wife and I pray for you every day. We are extremely proud of the job you are doing leading the United States.
Regarding your stem cell thoughts: No matter what decision you make, someone won't like it. So, THAT part of the decision-making process ("someone won't like it") should be the least of your concerns.
I respect your consistent and principled pro-life stand and the conservative American values you represent on a daily basis. You represent honesty and decency, principles that were sorely lacking in the 8 years prior to your election.
A question: Why is it necessary to destroy an embryo to retrieve stem cells?
There is ample research material available regarding adult stem cells. There are more than enough embryonic stem cells retrieved from umbilical cord blood to satisfy any current or future research.
I understand that you want to do the right thing. To that end, I suggest the following:
1) Go on TV and announce that you will authorize federal money to be spent on adult stem cell research. There is a body of research that indicates adult stem cells can be more easily manipulated than embryonic stem cells, but more money needs to be poured into that area of stem cell research.
2) Additionally, you will authorize federal money for embryonic stem cell research, but only stem cells that retrieved from umbilical cord blood emanating from a live birth.
3) You will also set up rigorous checks and balances to ensure that no embryos are destroyed to provide stem cells. Any research using embryonic stem cells that involved destroyed embryos will not only NOT receive federal money, but those who ARE receiving federal money will not be authorized to collaborate with those who are destroying embryos.
The decision is an easy one. Don't be fooled by the "easy" road. Stick to your values and vote for LIFE!
Marty in Alexandria
To contact your member of congress: http://www.bannerofliberty.com/PLobby/ContactCongress.html
To comment: mmostert@bannerofliberty.com
To contact Marty Card martycard@home.com