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Published Saturday, November 29, 2008 in Opinion

Stem cell research and tax dollars

To hear the scientists doing embryonic stem cell research tell it, they have not been able to make any advances in developing cures because they cannot do enough research on them due to lack of funds. Some politicians even say that President Bush was wrong to ban embryonic stem cell research in August 2001.

However, they need to check the books. There is no law, executive order or what-have-you banning embryonic stem cell research. What is banned is using federal funds to pay for research on any new embryonic stem cell lines created after Aug. 9, 2001. And for good reason -- harvesting stem cells from an embryo kills it.

I say, if scientists and politicians think embryonic stem cell research is so promising, let them pay for it. Don't use my tax money. I'd rather help pay for research in how better to use stem cells from more ethical sources: Umbilical cord blood, bone marrow, amniotic fluid, skin cells, etc. There has been clear research, with proven results, in the treatment and cures of over 70 types of diseases and conditions using adult stem cells. Just last week, doctors were able to use stem cells from a patient's own skin cells to create a new trachea and implant that trachea into the patient with no risk of rejection because her body recognized the cells as her own. That's the kind of research I want my tax money to help pay for.

Paul Gamblin

Newnan