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> Subject: Re: Making a difference, > From: Sid Levin <[log in to unmask]> > Date: Thu, 12 Jul 2001 15:00:20 EDT WELL SAID, Jeanette!! Yes, we can make a difference. Write letters and become knowledgeable on the issue. Example: (1) Those opposed to stem cell research refer to "baby killing" and other sordid words. What baby? A five day old fertilized egg (blastocyst) cannot develop or mature into a human if it is not implanted into a womb. (2) When they say: "Cord blood cells or fat cells or cells from a corps are better" TELL 'em: Not according to most scientists who say, THE MOST VERSATILE CELLS TO DATE HAVE PROVEN TO BE FROM FERTILIZED EGGS ABOUT 5 DAYS AFTER FERTILIZATION. (3) When they say anything pertaining to precepts of Catholicism, I have two things to say: (A) How many Catholics practice birth control? (B) (this one I'm not sure of, and would welcome authoritative correction): The Pope has never given Catholics a definitive answer to: When does life begin? The only specific I have seen is (I believe) Thomas Aquinas who defined life as beginning at the "quickening" (When the baby moves and is felt by the mother.) Many years ago I took part in a College debate titled: Resolved that the sale of birth control devices should be made legal. My opponent was friendly, but said what I proposed was akin to murder! Did the Church take a position that life begins at moment of ejaculation? (4) As to all other religious affiliations against stem cell research from a blastocyst: I have never heard of a religious service for the discarded eggs leftover from invitro procedures. (5) The question to which none of them give a satisfactory answer: WHAT IS BETTER, TO ASHCAN THE SURPLUS EGGS, OR USE THEM TO BETTER THE LIFE OF HUMANITY NOW AND INTO THE FUTURE? Sid Levin PS If you have not yet signed on to the electronic petition on the Massachusetts General Hospital web site, why not? Write to me and I'll send you a fast link for that site and another by CAMR (Coalition for Advancement of Medical Research) so you can automatically send letters to the President. Yes, Jeannette is right! We can make a difference, but sitting around feeling sorry. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn