Stem cell dilemma

I am a Ph.D. chemist and veterinarian who voted for Barack Obama because he is a good and ethical person. I believe he has the ability to change the world for the better.

As a scientist, however, I disagree with him on his stance on abortion and embryonic stem cell research. In reference to J. Peder Zane's Jan. 4 column ("Science visions, dark and bright"), any scientist will tell you that a living single cell -- whether it be a kidney, heart, lung, or skin cell, an amoeba, a single cell bacterium, or an embryonic stem cell -- is indeed alive! The real question is, "Is this cell a human being?" Given the proper growth conditions the human embryonic stem cell can and will develop into a unique adult individual.

It's important to consider the consequences of isolating stem cells and placing them in conditions in which they are started along the path toward full development into an individual prior to harvesting them.

Scientists can and do work with adult stem cells as an alternative to embryonic stem cells: this area of research is subject to considerably fewer ethical problems and shows great promise. With Obama in office, we have the potential to lead the world in science. But let's do better than that: Let's lead the world in ethical science.

Rosemary A. Marusak, Raleigh