Fetal Tissue Controversy

In response to your editorial “Oh-So-Sudden Change of View” (March 18):

The editorial on Dr. Bernadine Healy’s reversal of position on federal funding of fetal tissue transplant research made the point well. Speaking as one who is afflicted with Parkinsonism--just one of the lethal disorders that may be reversed by the results from this research--it is time for this political gamesmanship to stop.

It is time for Dr. Healy to stand up for pressing medical and scientific research needs and to stand up to President Bush. It is time for President Bush to recognize that this moratorium is ethically unsubstantiated, politically motivated and harmful to millions of suffering Americans.

And if they won’t, it is time for Congress to pass the Research Freedom Act (authored by Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Los Angeles), which will lift the moratorium.

JOAN I. SAMUELSON

Santa Rosa