There have been other alerts about the debate on human embryonic stem cell research. I reiterate that this is one of the most important potential technologies since antibiotics or surgery. Please let your congresscritters know how important it is to keep up with the rest of the civilized world in this exciting area.
In response to an e-mail from the Parkinson's action network, I wrote a letter to my rep and senators here. If what I wrote helps you formulate your own ideas, then I've done some good. Text of my letter below the fold.
Dear (Senator/Representative . . . .)
As a biomedical research scientist, I urge you in the strongest possible terms to support research using human embryonic stem cells.
The arguments against it are confused and ill-informed, even though they seem to make some people very emotional.
In your own thinking about this problem, I ask you to please consider the following. Many medical professionals can tell you heartwarming stories about organ donation. Perhaps a child died in an accident. Faced with the terrible loss, the family is very often willing or eager to help another patient in desperate need of an organ - a heart, liver, lung, or kidney. Many of them find a sort of redemption or meaning in their personal loss by giving another person a chance at life, and in the knowledge that at least a small part of their loved one lives on in another.
Now think about embryonic stem cells. They are destined for the incinerator, not to make an embryo. By allowing researchers access to these amazing cells, doors are opened into phenomenal possibilities in many, many critical areas. These include spinal cord repair, replacement of organs hopelessly damaged by tumors, even possibly limb regeneration.
Now what exactly is the difference between organ donation and stem cell donation? In both cases, the next of kin make the call as to whether to donate. In neither case is the actual donor consulted about whether to proceed. In both cases, there is the potential to make significant contributions to life and life science. In both cases, at least a part of the donor lives on to help others in need.
Please support the amazing potential of this area of research. Future generations will thank you for not leaving the United States in the Dark Ages while other countries win the race to be the best and brightest in health care and medical research.
Please do your part to keep science alive and moving forward for all of us!