The article “Victims of MS get risky solution” (Page 1, June 4), about stem cell research and the amazing effects it has had on one man afflicted with multiple sclerosis, is only a shadow of what could be if politicians would stop trying to impose their own personal religious beliefs on their constituencies. The story of Justin Sears shows what can happen when doctors are given the ability to perform the groundbreaking research that could end so much misery.
Perhaps President Bush would drop his opposition to stem cell research if he spent more time talking to the Justins of this country. Maybe he could see that the world isn’t as black and white as he would have us believe, and that there are real people who are impacted when he decides to play God.
The president’s family seems to enjoy good health. I wonder if his thinking would change if someone close to him were afflicted with MS or one of the other diseases that show promise for treatment or cure if only the restrictions on stem cell research were lifted. Bush remains an enigma. Here is the man who will fight to bring the unborn into this world, will stand in the way of research that can improve the quality of life or end the suffering of those already here and is willing to oversee the execution of those who have done wrong. If this is what it means to be pro-life, maybe that whole movement needs to re-examine its mission statement
