Messages In This Digest (3 Messages)
- 1.
- The reporter had it grossly wrong. See below. From: Stephen Meyer
- 2.
- TRY AGAIN----The reporter had it grossly wrong. See below. From: Stephen Meyer
- 3.
- WOMEN OF NEW JERSEY: TIME TO FIGHT! From: Stephen Meyer
Messages
- 1.
-
The reporter had it grossly wrong. See below.
Posted by: "Stephen Meyer" meyer74@bellsouth.net stephen_meyer_stemcells
Sun Oct 28, 2007 7:15 pm (PST)
The reporter had it grossly wrong. See below. Your country has
achieved notable successes in scientific research and development.
Prominent among these are advances in biotechnology with the potential
to treat and cure illnesses so as to improve the quality of life in
your homeland and abroad. Discoveries in this field invite man to a
deeper awareness of the weighty responsibilities involved in their
application. The use society hopes to make of biomedical science must
constantly be measured against robust and firm ethical standards (cf.
Address to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, 6 November 2006).
Foremost among these is the dignity of human life, for under no
circumstances may a human being be manipulated or treated as a mere
instrument for experimentation. The destruction of human embryos,
whether to acquire stem cells or for any other purpose, contradicts the
purported intent of researchers, legislators and public health
officials to promote human welfare. The Church does not hesitate to
approve and encourage somatic stem-cell research—not only because
of the favourable results obtained through these alternative methods,
but more importantly because they harmonize with the aforementioned
intent by respecting the life of the human being at every stage of his
or her existence (cf. Address to the Pontifical Academy for Life
Symposium, 16 September 2006). Mr. Ambassador, I pray that the inherent
moral sensibility of the Korean people, as evidenced by their rejection
of human cloning and related procedures, will help attune the
international community to the deep ethical and social implications of
scientific research and its utilization. http://tinyurl.com/2zuex9
<http://tinyurl.com/2zuex9 > Sandy --- In
StemCellInformation@yahoogroups. com
<http://webmail.att.net/wmc/ > , "Stephen Meyer" <meyer74@...n/wm/4725415E000 C678600002F95222 30647029B0A0\
2D2089B9A019C04040A0DBFCBC99D0A970A 03?cmd=ComposeTo &adr=StemCellInf ormat\
ion%40yahoogroups%2Ecom&sid= c0 > wrote:
> > > # 374 Friday, October 12, 2007 >
<file:///C:/My%20Webs/myweb11/ Archive%20322% 20Monday, %20April% 2020,%
2020\ >
07%20-%20FLORIDA%20ONCE%20MORE% 20PIVOTAL% 20TO%20NATION’S%20FUTURE\
\ > .htm> - POPE SUPPORTS THERAPEUTIC CLONING??? > > > No, this is
not a joke headline. > > > > TIME Magazine ran a story this morning
every stem cell research > supporter must read. > > > >
http://www.time.com/time/ world/article/ 0,8599,1670820, 00.html
<http://www.time.com/time/ > >world/article/ 0,8599,1670820, 00.html
<http://www.time.com/time/ world/article/ 0,8599,1670820, 00.html
<http://www.time.com/time/ > > > >world/article/ 0,8599,1670820, 00.html
> > Listen to this, quoting from the article “Pope Scolds S.
Korea on > Stem Cellsâ€, by AP/Nicole Winfield, Friday, October
12, 2007. The > article begins by criticizing embryonic stem cell
research, and > thenâ€"the lightning bolt. > > > > (Pope)
“Benedict noted that the Vatican does not > opposeâ€"and in
fact encouragesâ€"somatic stem cell > researchâ€"also known as
“therapeutic cloningâ€, which > uses human eggs
specifically for research from which stem cells are > harvested. > > >
> “The Vatican approves of such research because it
doesn’t > involve obtaining a fertilized egg or embryo to harvest
the stem cells. > The Vatican holds that life begins at
conception.†> > > > The Pope supports therapeutic cloning? >
> > > Folks, either TIME Magazine (and the Associated Press) ran a
colossal > misstatement, or we just had a gigantic breakthrough. > > >
> The Catholic Church, until now, has been the single largest opponent
of > SCNT. > > > > In Missouri, for example, bishops thundered from
the pulpit denouncing > therapeutic cloning, claiming to see no
difference between the cloning > of cells and the cloning of people.
Every Catholic in Missouri should be > glad to know the Pope does not
want them to support the movement to > overthrow Amendment 2, which
allows SCNT. > > > > If this article is accurate, the single largest
obstacle to Somatic Cell > Nuclear Transfer has just been removed. > >
> > If this is correct, then opponents of SCNT research like Catholic >
Senator Sam Brownback are in contradiction with the Pope. Presidential
> candidate Brownback is of course famous for his bill, the Human
Cloning > Prohibition Act, (supported by President Bush) which would
mandate ten > year jail sentences and million dollar fines for anyone
connected with > SCNT. > > > > This joyous news must be spread
across the land. Please write your local > paper, and your political
leadership. > > > > If TIME Magazine is right, and this is a source
famous for its accuracy, > the world has just changed. > > > > The
facts cited are correct: “therapeutic cloning… >
doesn’t involve obtaining a fertilized egg or embryo to harvest >
the stem cells.†This is absolutely rightâ€"SCNT involves no
> sperm whatsoever, and therefore there is no fertilized egg, and >
accordingly no embryo. > > > > Therefore, the Dickey Amendment, until
now used to block federal funding > of SCNT, does not apply. The Dickey
Amendment prohibits the endangerment > of an embryo. > > > > But
read these words again-- “The Vatican approves of such > research
because it doesn’t involve obtaining a fertilized egg or > embryo
(emphasis addedâ€"DR) to harvest the stem cells.†> > > >
The product of SCNT is not an embryo. > > > > We have it from the
mouth of the Pope. > > > > Don Reed > www.stemcellbattles.com
<http://www.stemcellbattles.com/ > >
- 2.
-
TRY AGAIN----The reporter had it grossly wrong. See below.
Posted by: "Stephen Meyer" meyer74@bellsouth.net stephen_meyer_stemcells
Sun Oct 28, 2007 7:37 pm (PST)
The reporter had it grossly wrong. See below.
Your country has achieved notable successes in scientific research
and development. Prominent among these are advances in biotechnology
with the potential to treat and cure illnesses so as to improve the
quality of life in your homeland and abroad. Discoveries in this
field invite man to a deeper awareness of the weighty
responsibilities involved in their application. The use society
hopes to make of biomedical science must constantly be measured
against robust and firm ethical standards (cf. Address to the
Pontifical Academy of Sciences, 6 November 2006). Foremost among
these is the dignity of human life, for under no circumstances may a
human being be manipulated or treated as a mere instrument for
experimentation. The destruction of human embryos, whether to
acquire stem cells or for any other purpose, contradicts the
purported intent of researchers, legislators and public health
officials to promote human welfare. The Church does not hesitate to
approve and encourage somatic stem-cell research—not only because of
the favourable results obtained through these alternative methods,
but more importantly because they harmonize with the aforementioned
intent by respecting the life of the human being at every stage of
his or her existence (cf. Address to the Pontifical Academy for Life
Symposium, 16 September 2006). Mr. Ambassador, I pray that the
inherent moral sensibility of the Korean people, as evidenced by
their rejection of human cloning and related procedures, will help
attune the international community to the deep ethical and social
implications of scientific research and its utilization.
http://tinyurl.com/2zuex9
ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI
TO H.E. Mr. JI-YOUNG FRANCESCO KIM
AMBASSADOR OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA TO THE HOLY SEE
Thursday, 11 October 2007
Your Excellency,
I am pleased to welcome you to the Vatican to accept the Letters of
Credence by which the President of the Republic of Korea has
appointed you Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the
Holy See. I take this occasion to renew the expression of my respect
and warm affection for the Korean people, and I ask you to convey to
President Roh Moo-hyun and all your fellow citizens my prayerful
good wishes for the peace and prosperity of your nation.
Your Excellency has noted the remarkable growth of the Catholic
Church in your country, due in no small part to the heroic example
of men and women whose faith led them to lay down their lives for
Christ and for their brothers and sisters. Their sacrifice reminds
us that no cost is too great for persevering in fidelity to the
truth. Regrettably, in our contemporary pluralist world some people
question or even deny the importance of truth. Yet objective truth
remains the only sure basis for social cohesion. Truth is not
dependent upon consensus but precedes it and makes it possible,
generating authentic human solidarity. The Church—always mindful of
the truth's power to unite people, and ever attentive to mankind's
irrepressible desire for peaceful coexistence—eagerly strives to
strengthen concord and social harmony both in ecclesial life and
civic life, proclaiming the truth about the human person as known by
natural reason and fully manifested through divine revelation.
Your Excellency, the international community joins with the citizens
of your country in their heightened aspirations for newfound peace
on the Korean peninsula and throughout the region. I take this
opportunity to reiterate the Holy See's support for every initiative
that aims at a sincere and lasting reconciliation, putting an end to
enmity and unresolved grievances. Genuine progress is built on
attitudes of honesty and trust. I commend your country's efforts to
foster fruitful and open dialogue while simultaneously working to
alleviate the pain of those suffering from the wounds of division
and distrust. Indeed, every nation shares in the responsibility of
assuring a more stable and secure world. It is my ardent hope that
the ongoing participation of various countries involved in the
negotiation process will lead to a cessation of programmes designed
to develop and produce weapons with frightening potential for
unspeakable destruction.
Your country has achieved notable successes in scientific research
and development. Prominent among these are advances in biotechnology
with the potential to treat and cure illnesses so as to improve the
quality of life in your homeland and abroad. Discoveries in this
field invite man to a deeper awareness of the weighty
responsibilities involved in their application. The use society
hopes to make of biomedical science must constantly be measured
against robust and firm ethical standards (cf. Address to the
Pontifical Academy of Sciences, 6 November 2006). Foremost among
these is the dignity of human life, for under no circumstances may a
human being be manipulated or treated as a mere instrument for
experimentation. The destruction of human embryos, whether to
acquire stem cells or for any other purpose, contradicts the
purported intent of researchers, legislators and public health
officials to promote human welfare. The Church does not hesitate to
approve and encourage somatic stem-cell research—not only because of
the favourable results obtained through these alternative methods,
but more importantly because they harmonize with the aforementioned
intent by respecting the life of the human being at every stage of
his or her existence (cf. Address to the Pontifical Academy for Life
Symposium, 16 September 2006). Mr. Ambassador, I pray that the
inherent moral sensibility of the Korean people, as evidenced by
their rejection of human cloning and related procedures, will help
attune the international community to the deep ethical and social
implications of scientific research and its utilization.
The promotion of human dignity also summons public authorities to
ensure that young people receive a sound education. Faith-based
schools have much to contribute in this regard. It is incumbent upon
governments to afford parents the opportunity to send their children
to religious schools by facilitating the establishment and financing
of such institutions. Insofar as possible, public subsidies should
free parents from undue financial burdens that attenuate their
ability to choose the most suitable means of educating their
children. Catholic and other religious schools should enjoy the
appropriate latitude of freedom to design and implement curricula
that nurture the life of the spirit without which the life of the
mind is so seriously distorted. I appeal to Church and civic leaders
to move forward in a spirit of cooperation to guarantee a future for
Catholic schooling in your country which will contribute to the
moral and intellectual maturation of the younger generation for the
benefit of all society.
Your Excellency, on this happy occasion as you begin your mission, I
assure you that the Holy See and its various offices will be ever
ready to assist you in carrying out your duties. I invoke divine
blessings upon you, your family and the people of your country, who
hold a special place in my thoughts and prayers at this time.
- 3.
-
WOMEN OF NEW JERSEY: TIME TO FIGHT!
Posted by: "Stephen Meyer" meyer74@bellsouth.net stephen_meyer_stemcells
Mon Oct 29, 2007 5:40 am (PST)
WOMEN OF NEW JERSEY: TIME TO FIGHT!
On November 6th, women of New Jersey will fight to protect their
children, their families—and their own freedom—by voting to
support the New Jersey Stem Cell Research Bond Act: WWW.NJFORHOPE.ORG
<http://www.njforhope.org/ >
What do stem cells have to do with women's freedom?
You already know. Just ask yourself one question: in a typical family,
if someone is injured or becomes ill, on whom does the extra work fall?
All too often—most of the time!-- it is the woman who gets stuck
with the chores of caregiving.
It is not right.
But it is reality.
Now, if the illness is a temporary one, like a common cold or the flu,
the unfairness is temporary too. Everybody is a little extra careful
around Mom, short-tempered because she is working like two people, but
in a few days everything gets back to normal.
But what if the sickness or injury is chronic: an incurable condition?
Two people's lives are crippled: the sufferer, and the caregiver.
Slavery is not too strong a word for what the permanent caregiver
endures. To have no life of your own, to become the limbs and body of
the one you love, to endure agonies of exhaustion, when the back burns
with the constant bending and lifting; when the mind goes half-crazy
from interrupted sleep, the endless getting up in the night to turn a
loved one over in the bed because they are paralyzed and cannot do it;
the anguish of having to give pain to a loved one because a catheter has
to be inserted, or a gloved hand must reach up into the intestinal
tract, and it hurts them—and also there is the secret shame and
guilt of resenting him or her… and sometimes in our darkest hours,
we may even finding ourselves half-wishing he or she-- or we ourselves--
would die, so the suffering could just stop.
But then the morning comes, and the caregiver gets up somehow, and goes
on, dragging herself from chore to chore for endless years, even as her
own health breaks down.
It is not enough to say, oh, well, she married him, she took the
marriage vows.
And it is never right to say, this is a woman's lot, this is what a
woman is expected to do!
Especially not when we may have it in our power to end their suffering.
www.njforcure.org
The state of New Jersey has long been inspired by the courage of the
Riccio family, how every morning Patricia Riccio tells her paralyzed son
Carl—"today I am going to go out and find you a cure", and
every day she works to make that promise real.
What if we could make it possible for Ms. Riccio to go home, and say to
her son:
"Today is the day; today I found it."
And there is another New Jersey mother, somebody you may not know.
Her name is Kavitha Balakrishna and she was—is—a fully
accredited medical doctor,
Kavitha went through medical school, fighting for grades as every med
student must, enduring the long sleepless nights, and exhaustion—and
she prevailed. She won—and she had started her career as a doctor,
and was happy in her useful work.
But then her child, a little boy, Pranav, 18 months old, was diagnosed
with Spinal Muscle Atrophy (SMA), a vicious disease which slowly saps
the strength of the child, taking away their physical abilities,
weakening them, until they can no longer breathe.
Kavitha gave up her career as a doctor. Now, she now stays at home to
care for her child. When he catches a cold, she sits by his bed all
night long, fighting to keep him alive. Pranav is four now, and Kavitha
sits there still. If you call her at her house, you will always find
her, never more than a few feet from her child's side.
She does this with a full heart, willingly putting her own life on hold
-- but nobility does not lessen sacrifice.
So long as her child suffers, so will Kavitha Balakrishna.
Maybe it is time we did something about it.
When November 6th rolls around, the women of New Jersey have it in their
power to strike a blow at this unfairness: done to women all around the
world.
WWW.NJFORHOPE.ORG
To vote YES! on the Stem Cell Research Bond Act is to strike a blow for
freedom from the endless prison of incurable illness—not only for
our suffering loved ones, but for their caregivers as well—a chance
to make somebody free.
Women of New Jersey, if ever you wanted to fight against unfairness,
now is the time.
Think it is too late, that cure will not come in time for you? Then
think of the girls now growing up, and fight for them. Do you want them
to endure what you went through, or maybe what you are going through
right now?
First, make sure, you yourself vote: Tuesday, November 6th.
If you need a ride to the voting booths, contact your local Democratic
headquarters—they support the New Jersey Stem Cell Research Bond
Act—and they will get you a ride.
If you can drive, you can do more: give friends and neighbors a ride to
the voting booths.
Take your mom. Take your sister. Drag your husband and your Uncle Fred
and your Aunt Ethel. Get them to the voting booths.
This will be one of the closest elections in history—because the
opponents of the research are using the churches to spread
misinformation and flat lies about the research. We don't want to
lose half a billion dollars in research funding-- by five or six votes.
You know the truth: stem cell research is good and decent and deserves
support.
We must get everybody we can to the polls, November 6th.
And, if you can, chip in a couple bucks, right now. WWW.NJFORHOPE.ORG
<http://www.njforhope.org/ > Do it now before you forget—give what
you can, give more than you can—why?
Because here is one more great unfairness.
New Jersey is fighting this battle, alone, almost with a zero campaign
budget.
When California fought for Proposition 71, we had a budget. Bob Klein,
the leader of Proposition 71, made that possible, by doing what nobody
else had ever done.
Bob Klein took his own money, the profits he had made by working hard
for decades—and he gave it to the campaign to pass Proposition 71,
California's Stem Cells for Research and Cures Act. He personally
donated $3.1 million, and much more. He let the campaign work out of his
own offices. He let the campaign take over his life, which meant he lost
money because that took him away from his regular job—and he
persuaded other champions of charity to contribute.
The result? The campaign had $30 million dollars. There was money for
polls and TV ads, money to get the message out, to combat the lies the
opposition spread. The truth became known—and California now spends
$300 million a year to advance the research.
Missouri? To protect the rights of researchers, a similar amount was
raised in the campaign to pass Amendment 2, due to the astonishing
kindness of the Stowers family.
But there are very few people like Bob Klein and Jim and Virginia
Stowers, who have both the ability and the willingness to give and give
and give.
So brace yourself. How much do you think New Jersey's campaign
budget has, to try and make possible $450 million in stem cell research
spread over ten years?
One hundred thousand dollars.
That's right. That's all.
What California did with thirty million, New Jersey must do with
one-tenth of a million.
It isn't fair.
But since when have women ever had it fair?
Maybe it is time to make a change.
WWW.NJFORHOPE.ORG <http://www.njforhop e.org/ >
Need to Reply?
Click one of the "Reply" links to respond to a specific message in the Daily Digest.
Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required)
Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Individual | Switch format to Traditional
Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe
