Embryonic stem cell research letter

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awfulthings9

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Recently I learned of a petition here in Missouri to allow a vote on a constitutional amendment to provide state funding for embryonic stem cell research. I really appreciated the assistance many of you gave me in editing and revising a different letter to the editor, so I’m asking for that feedback again. Do you see any grammatical, factual, or stylistic problems in my letter, which I need to send by noon tomorrow. Thanks and God bless. -Spencer

Letter:

Soon you will be asked to sign a petition as part of a very well-financed campaign to provide state funding for research into embryonic stem cells and therapeutic cloning (also called somatic cell nuclear transfer). Much of the support for this cause comes from the abortion lobby, which understands the campaign will help normalize its agenda.
It is no wonder that state funding should be necessary for this “miracle cure” as investors know it is a lost cause. More than three decades of research into embryonic stem cells have produced no cures and no treatments. In fact, in animal studies scientists can’t seem to avoid the frequent and fast-growing tumors that result from the erratic embryonic stem cells, nor the fact that the body’s immune system instinctually rejects tissue created from them.
Supporters of embryonic stem cell research have frequently called upon celebrities, such as Christopher Reeves, to win public support. Yet, few want to report that Reeves, himself, seemed to have lost his enthusiasm for embryonic stem cells in his last days. In a Reader’s Digest interview, Reeves admitted that it appeared that embryonic stem cells “are not able to do much about chronic injuries”, such as his own spinal cord injury.
On the other hand, adult and umbilical cord stem cells present none of the ethical or medical threats of embryonic cells. In addition, after fewer years of research, adult stem cells have produced over sixty-five proven treatment or cures, including those for many cancers and neurological diseases.
The real tragedy of the embryonic stem cell petition and the constitutional amendment that it supports is that they will take government money that could be used to support the highly effective adult and umbilical cord stem cells and divert it to the disappointing embryonic research instead. Visit www.stemcellresearch.org for more.
 
Incidentally, I made one small change from “no treatments” to “no significant treatments”, which is more accurate.
 
The letter looks good; good luck and may it produce great fruit.

CathChemNerd
 
Well, if it passed the scrutiny of a “cathchemnerd”, who probably has a little science knowledge, I feel more confident. Someone suggested that the last paragraph needed to be more clear, so I revised it this way (putting the reference to www.stemcellresearch.org in the previous paragraph):

The real tragedy of the embryonic stem cell petition is that it proposes taking government money that could be used to support the highly effective adult and umbilical cord stem cells and diverting it to the disappointing embryonic research instead. Thousands are hoping for cures to some of our most vulgar diseases; let’s use our money responsibly for their sake.
 
I don’t know if anyone read today’s associated press story on the Missouri Catholic Churches preaching “against stem cells”, but the Fr. James Smith quoted is the associate pastor at my church.
 
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