A letter to my Congressman - John Culberson
Don't worry, Dan. You might not like the content of this communication with my Representative, but worry not - I jotted this down between lab activities (aka - "work") a few minutes ago.
Dear Representative,
Howdy from Rice University! I'm a graduate student studying vertebrate embryology here at Rice. I'd like to first thank you for your part in funding our lab's research! Being in my position, I have a keen understanding and appreciation for the funding of our country's great scientific programs.
However, I am writing to you this morning to let you know my strong disagreement with the bill that was just passed by the Senate allowing for funding of embryonic stem cell research.
It seems like this bill (or this issue, in some form) is likely to be brought before Congress again in the near future.
I believe that embryonic humans should be in full possession of their human rights, starting immediately at conception. Since somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) cloning produces fully functional embryos, I am also firmly convinced that such scientific endeavors are not in our society's interest in the long run either.
Oddly, proponents of stem cell research often propose a risk-management strategy, whereby they indicate that because some therapies might be developed from embryonic stem cell research that wouldn't otherwise be available through adult stem cell studies alone, we owe it to those who need the therapies to pursue embryonic stem cell research. However, when it comes to the equally important question of when life begins, that risk-management suddenly becomes non-existent - they simply assume and speak with authority that the embryos are not in any meaningful capacity "human." Quite a double standard. I am convinced that, just as in the case of a sleeping person, if you give the embryo 9 months, or the sleeping person 9 hours, they will manifest themselves as very human even though initial observation might suggest otherwise.
For these reasons, I'm asking you to represent me by doing your best to prevent such embryonic stem cell research bills from becoming law. I believe that what makes this country so great is that we have the ability, and often choose to exercise this ability, to protect and serve those who need our help. It seems that those who cannot speak for themselves must rely on those of us who can speak for them.
Thank you for your service, both for Houston and our country. Have a great day and sorry if this letter got a bit long.
-Big Chris
Dear Representative,
Howdy from Rice University! I'm a graduate student studying vertebrate embryology here at Rice. I'd like to first thank you for your part in funding our lab's research! Being in my position, I have a keen understanding and appreciation for the funding of our country's great scientific programs.
However, I am writing to you this morning to let you know my strong disagreement with the bill that was just passed by the Senate allowing for funding of embryonic stem cell research.
It seems like this bill (or this issue, in some form) is likely to be brought before Congress again in the near future.
I believe that embryonic humans should be in full possession of their human rights, starting immediately at conception. Since somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) cloning produces fully functional embryos, I am also firmly convinced that such scientific endeavors are not in our society's interest in the long run either.
Oddly, proponents of stem cell research often propose a risk-management strategy, whereby they indicate that because some therapies might be developed from embryonic stem cell research that wouldn't otherwise be available through adult stem cell studies alone, we owe it to those who need the therapies to pursue embryonic stem cell research. However, when it comes to the equally important question of when life begins, that risk-management suddenly becomes non-existent - they simply assume and speak with authority that the embryos are not in any meaningful capacity "human." Quite a double standard. I am convinced that, just as in the case of a sleeping person, if you give the embryo 9 months, or the sleeping person 9 hours, they will manifest themselves as very human even though initial observation might suggest otherwise.
For these reasons, I'm asking you to represent me by doing your best to prevent such embryonic stem cell research bills from becoming law. I believe that what makes this country so great is that we have the ability, and often choose to exercise this ability, to protect and serve those who need our help. It seems that those who cannot speak for themselves must rely on those of us who can speak for them.
Thank you for your service, both for Houston and our country. Have a great day and sorry if this letter got a bit long.
-Big Chris
Comments
Don't forget the common sense argument as well: If embryonic stem cell research was so promising, why aren't private companies beating down the doors of these scientists to fund this research? If it was promising, the capitalistic, free market of the US would take care of the funding and this would be a moot point in government.
That, my friend, is always ignored by the idiot proponents of embryonic stem cell research.
PAX
JD