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November 29, 2009

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Letter: Dishonesty rampant in stem-cell debate

Tuesday, July 25, 2006 | 7:45 a.m.

Denver Post columnist Jim Spencer's July 23 commentary, which appeared in the Las Vegas Sun, was very dishonest. First, the Sun's headline, "Bush veto blocks science, health," is misleading.

Bush's veto only involves federal funding of embryonic research. There is no ban, and this research is not illegal. He did not "block science or health." Secondly, the article failed to mention that states, universities, pharmaceutical companies and other private entities are spending billions of dollars on stem-cell research. Some of it goes to adult stem cells, and some to embryonic research. The more effective of the two will get more dollars. Most cures originate from nongovernmental sources.

The federal government limiting its redistribution of wealth, from taxpayers to embryonic stem-cell research, is reasonable. Banning it or making the research illegal would be unreasonable.

I don't feel strongly that this research is good or bad. I am just angry that the debate is so dishonest, on both sides. Partisanship happens when the government hands out money. I am for limiting government spending across the board, except for national security and defense.

Jeff Markewich, Las Vegas

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