Steve Chapman in a recent column entitled “Inconvenient Facts about Stem Cell Research” wrote: “What’s wrong with destroying a 5-day-old embryo that would be discarded anyway? Nothing, unless you think there is something wrong with killing a human embryo ostensibly for some greater good.”
The only reasonable conclusion that can be made from this is that Chapman believes it is all right to discard a human embryo as long as it is not used for some greater good? Does that make sense? Chapman goes on to say that this research may lead to growing and killing 5-week or 5-month-old embryos. But there are guidelines and standards established for the use of embryonic stem cells. Only stem cells that are going to be disposed of anyhow are used in research. Do people who oppose this research on the grounds they are protecting life believe that an embryo in a petri dish is the same as one in the womb? If we take protection of frozen embryos as a way of protecting human life to its final conclusion, should those who discard them be charged with a crime?
Jack Strausser,
Elysburg
Letters
Difficult questions
- Letters
-
-
Unconcerned lawmaker
Republican Representative Kurt Masser's leadership and support of Governor Tom Corbett's agenda have proven to be nothing short of a disaster for everyone from senior citizens to the children statewide and locally.
- Accountability
-
Comic relief
Yet again, the Northumberland County commissioners have supplied -- unintentionally I can only hope -- comic relief in these troubled times for our county.
-
Belonging here
This morning, as I was leaving the Sunbury Islamic Center with a group of moms and kids from our Sunday school, someone drove by and screamed out their car window to us: "Go back to where you belong."
-
Transportation taxes
On May 22, the state House voted on HB 1100. The Democrat-sponsored bill exempted the sale of airplanes, airplane parts and airplane repairs from the 6 percent state sales tax.
-
Stepping up for river
I represent a group of 22 retired state Department of Environmental Protection professionals who have more than 600 years of combined service in managing all aspects of the commonwealth's water quality and pollution control programs.
-
Catalyst for study
The Susquehanna River, in many ways, unifies our region. Yet this vital ecological and economic engine, and the source of drinking water for millions, has been increasingly showing signs of distress.
-
Access to closed school
As a member of the New Berlin Borough Council, I am interested in maintaining access to the New Berlin Elementary School property for the citizens of the New Berlin community.
-
Critical period
More than two years ago, Sunbury native Ashley Spotts received a life-saving lung transplant due to cystic fibrosis (CF) and diabetes. Pennsylvania Cystic Fibrosis, Inc. (PACFI) established the Ashley's Angels Transplant Fund to help the family with medical expenses, and area individuals and families responded by donating to the fund and/or having fundraisers.
-
Tough to stop a train
To add a bit of perspective to the recent accident in Milton, as well as subsequent reporting and editorial comments, let's keep in mind that a train cannot overcome the immutable laws of physics.
- More Letters Headlines
-
Unconcerned lawmaker
