These 2 lawsuits only block stem cell research

Re “Promises to keep,” editorial, Jan. 17

At first blush, the editorial regarding Proposition 71 funding for stem cell research seems very sensible. You clearly understand the tremendous importance of the research and potential multifold benefits we dearly hope will follow.

What really shocks me, however, is when you speak of the pending lawsuits, which have frozen the program dead in its tracks, as a positive step. Your argument, broadly, is that more accountability is needed. What you fail to mention is that the two suits brought seek only to kill it off entirely. One group is part of James Dobson’s Focus on the Family, and the other is a small anti-tax organization.

The National Institutes of Health has long had undue influence by drug companies. Would you freeze all of its funding as well until a better system is built? Your cure is worse than the disease.

CHRISTOPHER KLATMAN

Los Angeles