Scientific Research Advances Mankind

Re “Human Cloning Success Startles Lawmakers,” Nov. 27: Enlightened Americans ought to congratulate Advanced Cell Technology for its human cloning research and thank scientists for their courage and independence in the pursuit of knowledge. History is littered with stories of men, like Darwin and Galileo, who used reason and challenged a faith-driven culture in their scientific endeavors. These men endured constant intellectual battles during their lifetimes, but their struggle brought us the high standard of living that we enjoy today. Our material wealth and comfort has always followed from the embrace of reason over faith. Advanced Cell Technology’s research will show us this again, if it is not shut down by the witch doctors first.

Heather Stern

Marina del Rey

*

God created scientists as well as missionaries. Who is to say what kind of material Christ used in performing his miracles? This could be, just as rationally, a gift from a compassionate God. If a spinal injury could be miraculously repaired with the individual’s own embryonic stem cells, or a child cured of lifelong diabetes, or the humiliation of Parkinson’s disease finally becomes a thing of the past, where is the evil in that? I see only a loving God. Science has never been impeded by legislation. Our challenge is to use this gift wisely.

Gladys Woodard Roby

Hemet

*

Once upon a time there was an administration. It urged Congress to outlaw human cloning, a procedure potentially capable of freeing humankind of certain devastating diseases. Simultaneously, it intends to allow for pesticide testing by having humans ingest small doses of questionable products (“U.S. Will Use Once-Banned Human Tests,” Nov. 27). How do you spell “Ain’t it ironic?”

Perry Allen

Carlsbad