Don’t Stifle Research on Therapeutic Cloning

Re “U.S. Scientists Use Cloning to Create Human Embryos,” Nov. 26: I’ve always believed that human life begins when an embryo (a woman’s ovum fertilized by a man’s sperm) implants into the wall of a woman’s uterus. I do not believe it begins in a petri dish or test tube. I have no ethical or moral concerns about the current experiments to develop tissues from any human cells if they are used for the humanitarian purposes of curing human afflictions.

If the real worry is that some will try to bring a fully developed cloned human into the world, a simple legislative remedy would be to prohibit the implanting of a “cloned” embryo in any woman or surrogate animal. Don’t stifle scientific exploration that could lead to the easing of the pain and suffering of many in our society. It would be personally repugnant to me to have these scientific advances stymied because of some persons’ religious beliefs.

Michael E. Muravez

La Habra

We must not outlaw human therapeutic cloning. Starfish can regrow detached arms. God doesn’t damn them for doing so. People should be allowed to heal themselves in the same way: by using their own tissue. Therapeutic cloning is a voluntary process whereby sick individuals use their own DNA to create immuno-compatible stem cells capable of extending or improving their lives. This is revolutionary science that should not be blocked by religious superstition.

Therapeutically cloned embryos don’t form an organism. Nor do they enter a womb. They remain a group of blank, undefined cells on a dish. But these cells have the potential to repair damaged organs and nerves, curing the incurable. Labs like Advanced Cell Technology must be allowed to do the necessary research.

Russ Kingston

Los Angeles

George W. Bush and his fellow conservative Republicans object to the use of embryonic cloning for the purposes of medical research, arguing that unethical individuals could use it to clone human beings (Nov. 27). In other words, one form of the technology should be verboten because there are some individuals who can’t be trusted to use other forms wisely.

Tell me, why doesn’t the same logic apply to guns?

Alitta Kullman

Laguna Hills