Officials wrong to oppose research


To The Editor: When I was about 20, my grandfather was diagnosed with Alzheimer's.

It was gradual at first. He just forgot basic things, like where he was or my name. Eventually he went completely silent, saying nothing. He became an object to be moved and cared for. He sat there with a vacant stare.

Alzheimer's is a cruel disease. It certainly was to my grandmother. While my grandfather seemed oblivious to what was happening to him, she watched her husband slip away instead of enjoying those years together.

Fortunately, there's promising research that could find treatments and possibly a cure for Alzheimer's and other diseases such as Parkinson's, diabetes, heart disease and arthritis.

This research is being held up by people who claim they are pro-life. They'd rather see a child with leukemia die than make use of some tissue in a petri dish that is about to be discarded.

Our representative, Charles Taylor, recently voted against stem cell research. Fifty-eight senators sent President Bush a letter asking him to support this research. Our Sen. Elizabeth Dole refused to sign it.

It would be incredibly wasteful and short-sighted to not utilize this encouraging research.

Wally Hughes



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