Uninformed

Dear Editor,

Mr. Biegler knows not of what he speaks. ("Stem cell bias" http: // www. mccookgazette.com /story/1090524.html):

* ASCs have not cured neurologic disorders such as spinal cord injury, Parkinsons, Alzheimers, MS and ALS. So the hype associated with ASC therapy is equal to or greater than the ESC hype. Additionally, up to 40 percent of bone marrow transplant recipients (ASC) perish due to graft-versus-host disease.

* ESCs from IVF clinics would otherwise be discarded -- why isn't this "homicide" as well? And how can anyone in good conscience deprive the sick and injured the opportunity for a better life by not using what would otherwise be medical waste. Obviously Mr. Biegler does not have someone close to him suffering from a currently incurable malady.

* ESCs have not to date been used for human therapy. Mr. Biegler's contention that zero people have been cured despite much research betrays a lack of understanding of the state-of-the-art. There is still work to do before humans will participate in clinical trials.

* ESC research has nothing to do with abortion.

Harris Abramson

via e-mail