Editorial

All of us -- every human person -- began our lives as an embryo. That embryo was created when our mother's egg and our father's sperm were joined together.

If our parents could see that embryo forming, I imagine many of them would give the embryo a name. That's because the embryo is a person. Let's be clear about that; it is not just "developing" or a "potential" person. It is a person.

Embroiled in controversy. Those tiny embryos have become embroiled in one of the biggest ethical controversies of our time. The crux of the matter is this: do we destroy human embryos in order to do research involving embryonic stem cells that could result in tremendous scientific and medical breakthroughs?

This controversy has pitted these tiny human embryos against the government, university researchers, doctors, and the public clamoring for cures for diseases. But who will speak for the embryos?

Some citizens in our country would like to say that these embryos are disposable. They can be killed for a "higher" ideal. The end, after all, justifies the means, doesn't it?

Other citizens in our country disagree. They say these embryos are human persons and cannot be killed, even for lofty purposes. The end does not justify the means.

Catholic teaching. Catholic teaching would agree with the second group of people. That's what John Huebscher of the Wisconsin Catholic Conference told a state Senate committee last week. The Senate is considering a resolution praising the University of Wisconsin for its work in the area of stem cell research.

The Wisconsin Catholic Conference and Pro-Life Wisconsin were the only organizations speaking against the resolution. Huebscher said that the ends of research must always be measured against the means employed to achieve them. And the intentional destruction or demeaning of human life in the name of research is never justified, no matter how lofty the motive.

The resolution also includes references to the economic advantages to Wisconsin with continued embryonic stem cell research at the university. Huebscher wonders who will really benefit from the money earned by this research. He asks, "What ethical or legal guidelines are we prepared to put in place to assure that all who may benefit from such research will in fact do so?"

Or, might I add, will it be only those who can afford to pay for new medical breakthroughs?

Remember the embryos. The Senate's Committee on Government Operations passed Senate Joint Resolution 46 praising the university's embryonic stem cell research. The full Senate may consider the measure this week. If adopted, it would go to the state Assembly.

I urge concerned citizens to contact their legislators. Ask them to remember the tiny embryos and oppose any resolution commending research which destroys human life.

Mary C. Uhler, editor

Mailbag

To the editor:

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With all of the emphasis on embryonic stem cells we don't hear about the successes that have been accomplished with adult stem cells. Some of the main successful clinical uses of adult stem cells for humans are as follows:

1. Autoimmune diseases such as lupus and some types of rheumatoid arthritis;
2. Strokes;
3. Epstein-Barr virus infections;
4. Blood and liver diseases;
5. Cancer treatment (in combination with other therapies) for brain tumors, ovarian cancer, non-Hodgkins lymphoma, and renal cell carcinoma;
6. Cardiac repair after heart attacks; and
7. Cartilage and bone damage.

At this point in time there have not been any successful clinical uses of embryonic stem cells on humans, only on animals in laboratories.

Charles J. Sippel, Waterloo

We should help hungry in U.S. first

To the editor:

In response to Tony Magliano's commentary in the Nov. 1 issue of The Catholic Herald, you are right in that we should share what we have with the less fortunate -- but -- as you state, "In the United States . . . nearly four percent of households experience hunger . . . More than 3.2 million children live in these homes."

I believe that we should begin helping those that live in the United States before we send anything to other countries. The poor of the southern states in the Appalachia area, as well as in Wisconsin and most large cities, need our help desperately.

In 1988 I started the Mount Horeb Area Food Pantry. After talking to all of the area priests and ministers, all of the churches agreed to support the program. I remained with the food pantry for over 10 years. In that time we served thousands of people, over two-thirds of which were children. There is still a growing need for the food pantry in this area, to say nothing of Dane County and all of Wisconsin.

Please join in my prayers that the people who control the distribution of funds and resources for the needy help our own first.

Richard M. Lornson, Mount Horeb