Jim,

I've been in Chicago for a few days and am just catching up on the list and
this thread.  The use of the term zealots is not wrong and is inclusive of
many of us. The definition according to  Merriam-Webster Dictionary
 is as follows:

Main Entry: zeal·ot
Pronunciation: 'ze-l&t
Function: noun
Etymology: Late Latin zelotes, from Greek zElOtEs, from zElos
Date: 1537
1 capitalized : a member of a fanatical sect arising in Judea during the
first century A.D. and militantly opposing the Roman domination of Palestine
2 : a zealous person; especially : a fanatical partisan

© 1999 Britannica.com Inc.

Many of us on the list can be called Zealots when it comes to PD especially
you as one of our most effective spokespersons.  I think one can be proud of
the label at times.

Regarding stem cells, however, I don't think that one can understand the
potential stem cells have in the
treatment of many illnesses including PD-  reject it-  and not be a pro-life
zealot.  The rejection of this biotechnology advance is antiscientific and
puts the potential alleviating of suffering as secondary to a set of
religious or philosophic principals which are accepted  unswervingly and
imposed (or attempted to be imposed) on others who do not share their views.
Stem cells are one of the most promising area of research on the horizon.
While no guarantees are possible in any research it is a direction that must
be pursued and not banned by religious zealots.

The cells come from invitro fertilization not abortion so one can be
anti-abortion and still favor the research.  The belief that interrupting
the early development of an embryo which has no possibility of becoming a
human being is murder certainly appears to be stretching a point and is to
me immoral and is much more onerous  than is the position of those who
support stem cell research .

 I am proudly, a zealot for stem cell research.  I think my arguments are
based on reason and data while  the "pro-life" arguments are based on faith.
Speaking of semantics I believe my position is more "pro life" than those
who have adopted that term The opposition to stem cell research is
"anti-life" IMHO.

 Everyone has  right to their faith but not the right to impose the
teachings of that faith on anyone else.  My life is mine to make choices and
do what I think is the most moral thing to do.  Supporting stem cell
research is a way that I see to do what is moral and helpful to humanity.

Charlie

----- Original Message -----
From: Jim Cordy <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, January 18, 2000 11:09 AM
Subject: Seed Grants, Stem Cells,Anti abortion zealots


> You are right about the potential stem cells.  I don't think anyone is
more
> excited than the scientists at NIH. It's not NIH that you want to
encourage,
> its Congress.  The stem cell guidelines are intended to make it possible
for
> stem cell research to continue.  I know, I was on the stem cell guidelines
> committee.
>
> I believe, from my experience as an advocate, that the legislators who we
> should be attempting to persuade are those sitting on the fence.  There
are
> many anti abortion legislators who do not have a problem with stem cell
> research. I would hope the Parkinson's  Action Network could supply you
with
> that information. Forget about the hard-core right to life zealots.
>
> The other way to encourage stem cell research is through seed money
grants.
> That is what the Parkinson's alliance is promoting.  NIH, through a very
> liberal interpretation of the law, continues to do stem cell research.
Their
> interpretation is that it is within the law to conduct stem cell research,
> as long as they do not produce the embryo.
>
> The best way to influence NIH is to have researchers submit good research
> proposals in that area of interest.  Again seed money grants we feel the
> best way to do that.
>
>
> dave purdy wrote:
>
> I have been afflicted with Parkinson's disease for 22 years. Most of the
> time, I can still get around fairly well. But, during the other hours of
> the day, I can't walk, I slur my words, and can't even respond to my 10
> year old son's requests. I can't eat during the day because it will
> interfere with my medicine getting to the brain. Do you call that life.
> I don't enjoy it and I'm sure no one else does either. My brain is
> slowly eroding away. The cells are dying...soon to be gone unless
> someone does something about it pretty damn quick. The NIH has a chance
> to save my life and millions more by stepping up the stem cell research.
> Anti abortionist activists, who are blindly looking at it as a form of
> abortion, are actually allowing us to die by standing in the way of the
> much needed research. See what they say when you tell them that we are
> barely living today, only to be dead tomorrow because they stood in the
> way of stem cell research. If I was one of them, I would feel guilty.
> My 10 year old son doesn't want a sick dad, and I know damn well he
> doesn't want a dead one either. I urge to to listen to your heart and
> come up with the logical conclusion. Please try to save my life. I still
> have some things I want to do and I need to be alive to get them done.
>
> Sincerely,
> David Purdy
> 5797 Willow Lake Drive
> Grove City, OH 43123
> (614) 875-8444
> (614) 875-8627 fax