Adult stem cell research and treatment has already made massive progress towards alleviating suffering and curing diseases, something which, unless you were either reading scientific literature or alternative media sources, most people probably know nothing about.  All researchers have been able to generate with embryonic stem cells, despite knowing every bit as much about them as they do adult stem cells, is cancer (primarily a class of malignancies called teratomas).  Not to mention adult stem cells have the advantage of being bio-identical with the patient, as you can harvest them from the individual patient's blood or bone marrow... even if embryonic stem cells ever worked, we'd be condemning these people to a life of anti-rejection medication as the body will work feverishly to rid itself of the foreign presence inside of it.

As always, your article is informative and well intended. Thanks for the information and the interesting avenues of thought on a timely and provocative issue.  We have gotten mailers at our home as well. We also read something this week via the GR Catholic Diocese Magazine as well. They are definately doing the push.

The biggest challenge RTL and MCL and others will have is getting information out AND then people understanding and getting it.

The main stream media has brainwashed the masses into being suspicious and hateful about religion and faith, believing Global Warming is the answer to humanity and that the break down in marriage, family, country and GOD is a necessary evil to obtain utopia on earth. The MSN think they have progressed us to this la-la land. The rest of us look in only to see frightening chaos and a loss of reason.

The main stream media has done an equally good job in getting the masses to believe that ESC are worthless and have no human related characteristics unless they are used in lab experimentation for disease. ESC are simply a batch of cells with no connection to human life as we know it. Thus, they can and should be used for furthering the health for the rest of us. This coincides with millions buying the concept that the world as we know it came from nothing. We are supposed to believe that nothing begits nothing. Same with sperm and egg. Apparently nothing coming together begins nothing. If nothing begits nothing, then get pregnant and see what happens. I assure you that bump in nine months and the birthing process if allowed to progress is more than nothing.

Of course those who say they are science minded and base everything on documented facts and data,
seem to toss reason out the window when it comes to ESC. ESC has been nothing but a nightmare of massive tumors, unstoppable growth and human distoritions beyond belief. Yet, the reseachers and donors in this area want the world to think ESC has solved disease already and is the promise land for tomorrow. It has NOT.  This is even before we get to the debate of moral and ethicial issues about the use of these cells.  

People must get educated and understand that adult stem cells and cord cells show amazing current results and also future promise, without harming existing life.  

Bottom line, RTL and other groups are going to have to break through the all important glass ceiling on ESC debates. One side de-humanizes both the embryo and fetus or else they can't go forward with the elimination program. They can't believe for a second that an egg and sperm meeting, the development of a combined cell to form life and then an embryo taking off and developing into a fetus could possibly be a human life. Their entire arguments and actions are dependent upon this process remaining clinical, detached and inhuman. To do to the contrary is to admit life and death.  

I used to be a pro-abortion supporter many years ago. I bought the lines sold that we can't go back to the wire hanger days, women have to have a right to their own reproduction rights, we must reserve abortion for the health of the unborn and mother and that we need it for cases of incest and rape. Now we get the argument that ESC are necessary to save other human lives regardless of the actions taken to get there. It's always a case of: I want it, I'll get it. No matter what it takes to get there. Even if I have to kill something or someone to get what I want and need.

I know alot of women who had abortions. None were for reasons of health, rape or incest. Sadly, all were done due to being very young, having one night stands or sex with men they barely knew, in relationships not even close to engagement or marriage and getting pregnant at times it was not financially, emotionally or psychologically convenient.  I'm sure there are cases to the contrary, but in my travels I have met none.  None of these women could be persuaded to give birth and give up the child. That would leave the mark of their mistake somewhere in the world even if it was not directly in their life anymore. Thus, both the man and woman decide to eliminate the problem completely and totally once and for all.

All these women I met regretted their abortions.  But sadly, all say they would do the same thing had they to live over the same circumstance and situation again.

Thus, the mind set must be changed for both men and women when it comes to the beginnings of life, the creation and use of ESC and the final elimination of an unwanted fetus in abortion. The research must be presented, the argument must be made and the position must be cemented that the cells, the embryo and the unborn child are all REAL and they are HUMAN. To do any less will loose this argument as well.  

I am now a strong pro-life advocate. I see the other side and understand how wrong I was. ESC is not the answer and neither is the taking of another's life when it comes to abortion. So, work like yours does make a difference. People are swithing sides in this battle for life. Too many of us turn away from our conscience in order to make negative and dark choices in our life when we need to. It takes prompting and strength  to listen and act properly when our conscience reminds us to.

Hopefully in time, everyone will make the best choices for all involved, not just the most vocal players. It takes reading, research, education and life experience to get all of us there. Some simply arrive earlier than others when it comes to doing the right thing.

You always do great work. Keep up the good fight.

Regards,