Political foot-dragging on a stem cell bill

Re “On stem cells, Specter’s playing for keeps,” Opinion, July 21

Margaret Carlson spoke for me and for millions: American families with “incurable” illness or injury. My son, Roman Reed, is paralyzed, and our family’s best hope is stem cell therapies. The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act is a cautious bill, allowing stem cells to be derived only from frozen embryos slated to be destroyed.

Closely resembling President Bush’s own policy, but without the Aug. 9, 2001, cutoff date, the bill sailed through the House of Representatives. Unfortunately, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist seems unwilling to allow it to be voted on in the Senate.

This political foot-dragging on Frist’s part is maddening. Why will he not allow the bill to be heard on the Senate floor? Can he not see that the American people are united on this issue? Pick a poll, any poll: The American majority has spoken. We want the research to go forward. No tricks, no delays: Just let the vote happen.

Don C. Reed

Fremont