Letters - Sunday
Report full of misinformation
After reading the Q&A on stem cells and the front-page article from the Los Angeles Times, I was left wondering whether the L.A. Times journalists are merely ill-informed or blatantly committed to misrepresentation ("An issue at intersection of science and politics," The Gazette, March 10). According to these authors, any arguments against embryonic destructive research are merely religious or political, while all arguments in favor are solidly scientific. This is flatly untrue.
To suggest adult stem cells are "useful for some kinds of therapies" is to drastically understate what has been the most important medical development in the past few decades. More than 70 conditions have been treated using adult stem cell treatments.
The critique that adult stem cells are "not as versatile" as embryonic stem cells is to ignore the astounding new development in induced pluripotent stem cell research, which offers us this versatility without destroying a human embryo. In fact, a report on May 8, 2008, announced that the virus problem of creating these cells has likely been solved.
Describing the ethical concerns as only among those "who believe life begins at conception" ignores the scientific fact that life does, in fact, begin at conception. It is not debated whether the embryo is a human life, but whether the embryo is a valuable human life. Those of us who think all human life is valuable are not merely religious, but deeply concerned that we ought not draw a line within the living human race which leaves some members on the outside.
Finally, one wonders why additional funds should be dedicated to morally and scientifically questionable research, when we are in the throes of the current economic crisis. I know President Barack Obama assumes government is the answer to all our problems. However, in this case he is fabricating a problem that doesn't exist and asking the taxpayer to pay for it, even those of who have strong convictions against it.
John Stonestreet, Colorado Springs
Trading one life for another
President Barack Obama has approved expanding federal funding of embryonic stem cell research. For the sake of argument let's say that all the amazing cures and therapy for such things such as cancer, spinal cord injuries, diabetes, Alzheimer's, and more ultimately come true. Then what?
With all the amazing cures will come massive demands for huge volumes of embryos.
After all, that is where embryonic stem cells come from - embryos (unborn children). The moral dilemma for me has always been the fixing of one living ill person at the expense of another and their death. Does this sound OK to you?
Steve Sinn, Manitou Springs
Don't expect immediate cures
Katie Couric reported on President Obama lifting the ban on stem cell research as though there would be breakthroughs on disease. The only problem is the breakthrough is still years down the road. I am a diabetic, but I am not getting my hopes up too high.
Donald H. Pate, Falcon
State could lose relevance
I am dumbfounded any of our state legislators, regardless of party, would be in favor of changing the apportionment of Colorado's electoral votes ("Colorado revives attempts to shift electoral votes," The Gazette, March 10).
There is no better way to render Colorado irrelevant in presidential politics than with the bill recently reintroduced. By forcing candidates to compete for Colorado's electoral votes, issues that matter to us are heard and debated during the campaign. The number of visits by both candidates in the past election is a testament to that.
If we tie Colorado's votes to the popular vote in New York, California, Texas and Florida, there will be no incentive for any candidate to listen to the concerns specific to Colorado. Any legislator that does not understand this should find something else to do.
Matt Drosendahl, Colorado Springs
Dealing with climate change
I want to thank The Gazette for publishing the guest editorial by Andres Pico on global climate change. I found it to be very informative. The information Pico gathered is the kind of enlightenment we never see as news in the major newspapers or national TV. I hope it will help a few Democrats move away from the global warming hysteria perpetrated by certain public officials. People have lived through many climate changes without it costing them more than a few extra blankets or more shade over their homes with trees.
MaryAnne Tebedo, Colorado Springs
