Transplant Protest

In response to “Activists Protest Use of Pig Liver in Transplant,” Oct. 16:

I commend the courage of the medical staff at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and the family of Susan Fowler for daring to attempt the untried. I stand behind their decision 100%.

I take exception to Bill Dyer’s comment that costly procedures should be ceased in favor of basic health care for all. I believe there needs to be a balance and you can’t play God by denying or not attempting treatment because of the cost. I believe the medical community has to take some action in this respect to control costs.

I’m a two-time kidney transplant recipient. After my first transplant failed, I opted to try again. Part of my decision was based on the tremendous cost of hemodialysis in comparison to the cost for the transplant operation and subsequent drug therapy and treatment.

I also have a better quality of life with the transplant. I work full time, volunteer at church, pursue hobbies, travel, etc.--all activities that were curtailed during my times on dialysis.

I love animals and agree, to a certain extent, with June Averseng’s comment that we need to care about all life; however, I have to balance this with the value of a human life. There should be controls and monitoring in continued use of animal experimentation. Again, the medical community must take the lead and be responsible. But the bottom line is animal experimentation must be allowed to continue.

I benefit today from treatments that were pioneered many years ago. I and countess others are living proof that there is merit in these experiments.

MARCY YOUNG

Van Nuys