Letter to the Editor

False accusations

Thursday, October 7, 2004

Dear Editor,

As a member of the University of Nebraska Board of Regents, and a candidate for re-election, I welcome discussion of issues facing the university. However, any discussion on both sides of an issue has to be factual.

The Open Forum letter from Bill Sullivan was full of false accusations.

In July, I supported an application made at the University of Nebraska Medical Center for the search for a cure for emphysema. Mr. Sullivan said that by supporting this research, I was supporting sacrificing human embryos. Had Mr. Sullivan done his homework, he would have found out that this proposed research will use only cells from cell lines approved by President Bush, and not use any new stem cells.

So, if he is going to criticize me, he should also equally criticize President Bush for approving and funding this research.

Mr. Sullivan also is critical of the University's Bioethics Advisory Committee. This is a committee of lay people that does scientific and ethical review of all types of research involving stem cells.

Since the University follows all federal and President Bush's guidelines for research of this type, this committee plays a vital part in compliance with all guidelines.

Examination of issues facing the university is healthy. However, individuals sending letters to the editor, full of false information, is not.

We can talk about the future of the university without resorting to distorting the truth.

Don Blank,

McCook

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