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Stem cell research can give the chance for a normal life Published: Wednesday, October 4, 2006 10:01 PM CDT I have never been one to get involved with topics that include religion, medical practices or political views. However, I must say all the hype that has been going on in the news these past few days, months or perhaps, years, involving Stem Cell Research has peaked my interest. I am in no way a medical or politically educated person. I am your average baby boomer, middle class, medium income, worked all my life looking forward to retirement, basically mind my own business type of person. My husband and I have five children, seven grandchildren. I was not the type of mother to smother my kids, I encouraged independence, education, a spiritual connection, morals and a general respect of mankind and throw in a good sense of humor to get you through the really trying times. Never in my life would I have thought that I would have to bury one of my children at a tender age of 14. Yet I did. My son and I had discussed organ donation two weeks before he died. He told me his wishes; I told him mine, which was the end of the conversation. As I said, I did not know I would be facing the task of my son s funeral. Life can change in the blink of an eye, for the good or for the bad. For my family we lost a wonderful son, for several other families in Missouri they had a rebirth, a second chance at life for one of their sick loved ones. Our son was in supreme condition when he died, a young, healthy, robust young man always wanting to help the other person. He did just that. His heart, kidneys, pancreas, corneas, veins, tissue and skin grafts went to people that have been living on machines, were victims of burns or disfiguring features. Through him there were and are, as they are still doing well, lives going on because of medical miracles, advancements and the gift of life through organ donation. Did I ever think someone would be walking around with my son s tender sweet heart in them? No. Did I ever fathom a mother would be able to raise her young babies because she has my son s kidneys? No. Other organs went to people just like you and I. They never thought they would have to go through these medical procedures, but thank God, as he created man to learn, improve, provide, protect, our medical field learned the miracle of organ transplant and skin transplant. I know some of our family did not respond well to the idea of us donating our son s organs. They expressed their opinions very clear, loud and clear, calling it a Frankenstein procedure, thinking there is a black market of ghouls that buy and sell organs. There could be, we do not know,. We were met by a professional team explaining the procedure in great detail. Based upon our son s wishes, we did as he wanted. He would never want to remain in a wheelchair as a vegetable. Now through medical research, there is a process for some people that have been confined to wheelchairs, and beds, a chance to regain some mobility and have a functioning life again. Yet some people are putting the squash on it, saying it is against God, afraid of a human clone being made. Stem cell treatment is what the artificial heart was decades ago, what skin grafting was in World War I and WW II, what the test tube baby was, what invitroe fertilization is, what birth control and abortion are today: messing with nature, just in different forms. People today don t get married to have children, just go to a sperm bank and withdraw a deposit. What does it matter if someone across the country has had a baby with the same donor, what if two babies meet and fall in love and marry? Talk about a freak of nature. I think everyone should stop and think before any medical procedure what would the consequences be in a most negative way. Also, stop and think what length you would go to in order to cure your sick, disease-ridden family member. Before you think society is playing God with stem cell research and treatment, stop and think, are you on birth control? Have you ever had an abortion or know someone that has? If the doctor told you your newborn baby was going to die, where would you turn for help? I think in one way or another, we have all tampered with God s plan of life, pushing the button o the limit in one way or another. I feel you can give a person a chance, a second chance at life. If it meant to be, trust me, it will be, if not, at least you gave it your best shot. That is all God asks from us, to do our best and trust in Him. Every time I hear an advertisement or read an article about stem cell research, I have to ask myself, What if it were the person protesting the most that had a child, a grandchild, spouse or other loved one facing life in confinement? Ask yourself and be honest, would you want to spend the rest of your life that way or would you by some medical miracle want to give the chance of a normal life? Joyce Dill Kaiser ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn