Letter: Scientists are handcuffed by Bush decision

Monday, Sept. 10, 2001 | 9:21 a.m.

I watched Sen. Edward Kennedy's hearing on stem-cell research. An ordinary person like myself can't begin to understand the magic these scientists can work on these cells, but I do know that millions are suffering terribly every minute of every day of their lives. That's why I can't understand how a president who brags about how compassionate he is could have made the decision he did regarding these cells. To have come down clearly with a yes or no decision would have taken guts. To come down in the middle was gutless.

I agree with the scientist that called his decision a "cruel compromise." And now, surprise, surprise, the number of cell lines President Bush said would be available for research has dwindled to less than half of what he promised. Heath and Human Services Secretary Thompson said this was an "adequate" amount. Well, "adequate" is not good enough when human suffering is involved.

Bush gave a green light and then he hit the brakes by putting arbitrary limits and restrictions on the researchers. I believe his decision, despite the hype to the contrary, was an easy and purely political one. All he had to do was fashion a "solution" that would offend the least amount of voters. It's neither here nor there. True pro-lifers don't like it and the scientific community doesn't either.

What if the number of viable cells dwindle even further? The president should take these numbers into consideration, keep his ethics committee in place, but lift his restriction of 64 stem lines to whatever number is needed to get the job done.

I respectfully ask the president, for the sake of humankind, to let these people work their magic.

JOYCE SEGAL