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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
