Again the Herald editorial writers have used factual omission and Bush Derangement Syndrome thinking to push an agenda item for the Obama administration. (March 10 editorial, “Science returns to forefront.”) President Bush banned federal funding of embryonic stem cell research — private funding has always been available. Anyone wanting to support it could do so without forcing morally opposed taxpayers to pay for it. That was the beauty of the President’s win-win solution! Now money will be diverted to what has proved to be the least productive line of research.
The President grandfathered in existing lines of federally funded stem cells, which have been used to develop treatments for over 70 diseases.
Despite lots of hype, not a single cure has been achieved using embryonic cells. However, recent work with skin stem cells indicates that such cells can be transformed to act like embryonic cells, without the moral issues so repugnant to those who defend human life.
Obama, as on so many issues, is exactly wrong to move this issue under the control of science. To the majority of Americans, this is a moral issue and as such belongs in the political arena where such decisions are made in our Republic. To place it in the scientific realm leads to such things as eugenics and to thoughts of building the “Master Race” and ultimately to abhorrent actions such as the Holocaust. It happened before and it can happen again if we ignore morality and let science make decisions on logic alone.
Curt Greer
Marysville
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
