To the editor:
(Regarding the April edition’s column “Stem-cell move does not evoke gratitude” by Douglas W. Kmiec): Embryonic stem cell research even if it would benefit billions, even if 99.9 percent of the people in the U.S. or world believed it to be a “good”, even if there were already cures we could point to in order to demonstrate its effectiveness, even if it did not slide right into cloning would STILL be morally wrong. God never revoked the fifth commandment, “Thou shalt not kill.” It has been taught throughout history of the Church that human life is sacred made in the very image of God. It is that which distinguishes man from beasts. Once we start killing any human — embryo, newborn, octogenarian, woman, Jew, Catholic, blacks, those with Parkinson’s disease — then none of us are truly safe, are we? Someone — the one in the position of power — will always decide which category of humans is unworthy to live life to the fullest.
I think everyone who can read history can agree to that. You do not have to even believe the truths of our Faith. Remember, Mr. Kmiec, even if you do not believe it to be so, you put your hand into a flame and you will be burned. The truth is that fire burns. When one sees the prevalence of disbelief there is the “teaching moment,” the time to make an eternal difference. Teach the Truth!
Our earthly bodies are to last a moment while our souls are immortal. God allowed His Son to give His human life for us because we simply couldn’t save ourselves. Jesus gave Himself for us. He wasn’t volunteered or coerced. Which embryo do you believe would volunteer to die so that you could live this life longer?
Barbara A. Fredericks
Rochester
EDITOR’S NOTE: Mr. Kmiec, who has Parkinson’s disease wrote, “To avoid cooperating with an intrinsic evil, this trembing hand is not to benefit from the destruction of a human embryo.”
