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OPINION: S. DAKOTA: Herseth Supports Stem Cell Research Aberdeen American News, SD Posted on Thu, May. 20, 2004 To the editor - Embryonic stem cell research is back in the news. A Harvard scientist has produced results supporting the argument that embryonic stem cells are essential for growing insulin-producing cells required for a new treatment for Type I Diabetes. Nancy Reagan is speaking out in favor of the research as a way to cure Alzheimer's. She said we have delayed long enough. She wants others to be spared the pain that she and President Reagan have experienced. A bipartisan letter signed by 206 representatives was sent to President Bush asking restrictions be relaxed to allow discarded embryos to be used for research. A similar letter is being circulated in the Senate. Nineteen stem-cell lines simply are not enough to carry out creditable research for cures for Juvenile Diabetes, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and other diseases. Researchers are leaving the country to pursue cures where there is a more favorable climate for research. President Bush does not plan to revisit his policy. Rep. Diana DeGette, a Democrat and GOP Rep. Rep. Michael Castle plan to introduce legislation to expand the policy if the president does not act. We need someone in Congress who already knows the issue and will work to advance this research. We need a voice in Washington, not an echo. We have delayed long enough. We need action now - our grandsons are depending on this research to find a cure for Juvenile Diabetes. Vote for Stephanie Herseth on June 1. Delano Wood Cresbard SOURCE: Aberdeen American News, SD http://www.aberdeennews.com/mld/americannews/news/opinion/8711421.htm * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn