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I'm tired of these guys too. But Brownshirt- er Brownback- shouldn't be our focus. He's probably a lost cause and likely a good part of his anti- evolution Kansas constituency agrees with him. We need to work on reasonable conservatives like John McCain who think things through and are brave enough to take a stand on Stem cell research which differs from the "party line". The point is that stem cell research differs from abortion in several important ways. As a Jew who would not be here if the Nazi's won the war (and would certainly have been a victim- had I lived in Europe ) in 1944 when my mother was pregnant with me. I reject and am offended to comparison of the holocaust to stem cell research. As a physician I reject the Senator's characterization of stem cell research as Nazi Medicine and am deeply offended. Stem cells are not people- or in any real sense potential people they start out and "live their lives" as cells in a Petri dish, implanted to become children by the "Nazi doctors" and "anti-life people" who are working in fertility research to make it so everyone who wants children can have them. The cells cannot develop in an extrauterine environment The stem cells are derived from the embryos which are left over and would be discarded. In addition they likely form groups of immortal cell lines so ultimately it will be unnecessary to resort to even this method to obtain the cells. What is more reprehensible behavior- to throw away cells that have the potential to provide healing to those with spinal cord injuries, relieve the rigidity and tremor from a Parkinson's patient or provide real hope to the family of a child with a degenerative metabolic disorder. to those who are doomed from a metabolic hereditary disease. As a PWP whose life may well depend on the benefits derived from stem cell research I wish that Senator Brownback's thinking had evolved beyond the 15th century "world is Flat " mentality that it exhibits. Just some ramblings Jim, Keep alert for all of us and thanks again for all you have done for all PWP. While we have disagreed at times that has if anything increased rather than decreased my admiration for you and what you have done for the PD community. Charles T. Meyer, MD ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jim Cordy" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Wednesday, April 26, 2000 7:39 PM Subject: Nazi behavior > Senator Brownbeck calls for Nazi like condemnation of millions to suffering > and death. > > I am outraged! I just heard todays testimoney of Kansas Senator Brownback. > He compared stem cell research to the medical research done by Nazis in the > concentration camps during world war two. Regardless of your personal > position on stem cell research, this is going too far. I call on the people > of Kansas as well anyone in the country to flood Senator Brownback with > calls and letters taking exception to that remark. If there is a comparison > to be made with the unconscionable acts of the Nazis, it is Brownback 's > behavior that is a abominable. Stem cell research uses fertilized eggs that > are going to be destroyed anyhow by fertility clinics because they are in > excess of those needed during the fertilization process. A small number of > these 6 to 7 day old embryos can produce the stem cells that might see > Christopher Reeves walk again, Michael J Fox act again, as well as restore > health to millions who suffer from a wide range of disabilities. Condemning > those millions to suffering and death is what Brownback proposes. If anyone > should be called a Nazi it is Brownback >