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San Francisco Chronicle Page E - 6 Letter to the Editor STEM CELL RESEARCH BAN MAKES NO SENSE Editor -- President Bush is using his newly acquired powers to halt federal funding for stem cell research. One could guarantee that he would not be trying to prevent this critical research if one of his daughters had autism, his wife were suffering from Parkinson's disease or his mother was afflicted with Alzheimer's. His most recent attempt to prevent further research came in the form of a last-minute cancellation of a National Institutes of Health conference on the subject that was to be attended by scientists from around the world. For those who aren't aware, stem cells are gathered from six- to eight-cell embryos created, but no longer needed, for in-vitro fertilization -- in other words, embryos that will eventually be discarded. The president's views on abortion can be respected, but he is confusing these two very different issues for political expediency. His attempt to stifle funding for research that could potentially save the lives of innocent children afflicted with neurological disorders, seniors suffering from Alzheimer's and young people enduring the trauma of juvenile diabetes is narrow-minded and based on personal beliefs that do not represent the will of most Americans. In a recent nationwide poll, 70 percent of Americans of varying religious affiliations said they support stem cell research. That overwhelming majority is an indicator that most Americans know of, or are living with, a person whose life may be dependent on the outcome of stem cell research. In my case, I am the mother of a beautiful and bright 4-year-old boy with autism. I believe that stem cell research is the essence of "pro-life," as it will potentially allow thousands of children and adults to live their lives to their fullest potential. Is that not what President Bush continues to promise when he talks about the freedoms and opportunities that exist in this country? NICKI PECCHENINO Scotts Valley, Santa Cruz County ©2001 San Francisco Chronicle Page E - 6 http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2001/06/24/BU148128.DTL&type=business * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn