New York Times
Sunday, August 6, 2006

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Ethics and Stem Cell Research

Re “A Pox on Stem Cell Research,” by Deborah Blum (Op-Ed, Aug. 1): In commenting on President Bush’s veto of embryonic stem cell financing, Deborah Blum implies that his act will all but halt research in the field. In reality, what Mr. Bush did was to inhibit using additional taxpayer money (yours and mine) to pay for the research. The abundant private research and private financing for it will continue.

Noted researchers have said potential cures from embryonic stem cells are many years away, if indeed they even occur, unlike from adult and umbilical cord stem cells, which have already shown promising results in humans.

The president was correct when he refused to use our money on questionable research that is ethically repugnant to many. We would support financing for stem cells obtained from adults and umbilical cords as a wiser use of taxpayer money.

Germaine Wensley Middleville, Mich.
Secretary, Board of Directors
California Nurses for Ethical Standards

Relighting the Lamp