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Ray, What a great letter! Kathleen 2009/3/6 rayilynlee <[log in to unmask]> > Dear Editor: > > On Monday March 9, 2009, President Obama will rescind the Bush restrictions > on embryonic stem cell research. As one who has suffered from Parkinson's > disease for thirteen years and has been a stem cell advocate for the past > eight years, I am finally getting some relief from the oppressive ignorance > and superstition that has stifled scientific research during this time. > > However, I am not foolish enough to think there will be a cure in my > lifetime, but at least I will know I am living in the 21st century, not the > 11th. Because embryonic stem cell opponents are more often than not > relentless liars, there are some things you should know. There are not 73 > or 80 successful adult stem cell treatments for diseases and injuries, > making embryonic stem cell research obsolete or unnecessary. At last count > there were nine "cures" for cancers and blood disorders, like the bone > marrow transplants we all know about. > > I have followed one especially egregious misrepresentation of the facts > since 2003. Dennis Turner's adult stem cell treatment for Parkinson's > disease was not a "cure" as it has been represented. According to two > phone calls to him on 3-24-06 and 2-19-09 his symptoms returned with a > vengeance over five years ago. During his treatment he was on Parkinson > meds and had had a DBS (Deep Brain Stimulation) operation. These facts make > his claimed "reprieve" questionable. > > No fetuses, babies or persons are destroyed with embryonic stem cell > research as opponents claim and imply. We are talking about microscopic > undifferentiated human cells in a petri dish, cells otherwise destined for > the garbage bin. > > Scientists need to be able to search for treatments and cures without their > hands being tied by religious zealots. We won't know which cells work best > for which disease until the research is done. Now, thanks to President > Obama, I have reason to hope. > > Rayilyn Brown > Director AZNPF > Arizona Chapter National Parkinson Foundation > [log in to unmask] > > 623-584-5869 > Surprise AZ > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto: > [log in to unmask] > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn