From: Peter Charles

First off, I'm following media reports on stem cell research that
suggests, directly or implied, that opposition to stem cell research
is rooted in the anti-abortion crusade of the religious right.

I
realize there are other sects and religions opposed to abortion but
the political power rests with evangelic wing of the Republican Party
and that is who I am addressing. If I have that wrong, please correct
me.

I don't believe you're wrong.

That said, since the administration refuses to fund new lines of stem cells,
(they do fund research on 70+ existing lines), why don't the major drug
companies like Phizer, etc, step up to the plate and put the r&d money they get
from the inflated prices they charge for drugs, and provide the funding for new
lines and further research?

Also, stem cells are likely not the holy grail of medicine that many people
seem to think they are. For instance, consider Ronald Reagan. After his death,
there was a great hue and cry regarding how stem cell research would lead to a
cure for Alzhiemer's Disease. However, according to the top Alzhiemer doctors,
the nature of the disease makes it a poor candidate for a stem cell cure, and
this was widely broadcast on the major U.S. networks, hardly bastions of the
religious right.


George Adams

"All good fishermen stay young until they die, for fishing is the only dream of
youth that doth not grow stale with age."
---- J.W Muller