I wrote my senator, Jeanne Shaheen, to express my views opposing embryonic stem-cell research. Finding her answer was callous and evasive, I wrote a response spelling out the issue more plainly. The correspondence, minus my brief opening email, is herewith given in reverse order:
Dear Senator Shaheen,
In your email you said this:
It is important to know that these embryos were created through in vitro fertilization, and were donated for research with the informed consent of the donors.
That sounds nice, doesn’t it? Perhaps it eases your conscience a bit, too. But it should not. The humans who give their lives for this macabre research (the “embryos”) are incapable of giving their “informed consent.”
If Doctor Josef Mengele performed his warped experiments on the bodies of hopeless offspring whose demented parents gave their “informed consent,” perhaps that would be OK, too? I’m sure there were many who considered his experiments part of the German “tradition of scientific and academic inquiry,” a noble tradition in which “qualified experts [should] remain free to conduct unbiased research and report their findings for the greater knowledge and betterment of human kind.”
I will give you this much. You are consistent, as you favor a woman’s “right” to abort her helpless child. Remember that on judgment day, the just Judge will tell the elect, “Amen I say to you, as long as you did it to one of these my least brethren, you did it to me.” You can look Him straight in the eye and say, “I aborted you, Lord, and I used your spare parts to help cure people society deems worthy to keep living!”
- —
- In the Immaculate Heart of Mary,
Brother Andre Marie, M.I.C.M. - Saint Benedict Center
Post Office Box 627
Richmond, New Hampshire 03470 - Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Homepage | The CAT is on the Prowl!
[email protected] wrote:
June 3, 2009
Dear Andre Marie,
Thank you for contacting my office about stem cell research. I appreciate hearing from you about this important issue.
Human embryonic stem cells offer great potential for treating a variety of challenging diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis. It is important to know that these embryos were created through in vitro fertilization, and were donated for research with the informed consent of the donors.
For years, American researchers and laboratories were stymied by a ban on federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research. Some of the best medical scientists in the world were forced to relocate to other countries so that they could continue their work. In March, President Obama took a major step in restoring America’s role as a leader in science and medicine by lifting the ban on funding. For millions of patients and families, there is now greater hope for breakthrough treatments and even cures.
I have long been an advocate of stem cell research and applaud the President’s decision to lift the ban on funding. I believe that the federal government should encourage research and innovation but that science should not be limited by ideology or political interests. America has a proud tradition of scientific and academic inquiry, and I will work hard to ensure that qualified experts remain free to conduct unbiased research and report their findings for the greater knowledge and betterment of human kind.
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with me and please do not hesitate to contact my office with any future questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Jeanne Shaheen
United States Senator
