Pro-life movement sees selective reduction, stem cell research as abortion

Pro-life movement sees selective reduction, stem cell research as abortion
EDITOR:
Two recent columns in your newspaper have issues that severely misinform the public regarding pro-life issues and need to be addressed.
The first, by Bonnie Erbe, states that pro-lifers do not protest or ask for a ban of "fetal reduction," the killing of one or more babies in the womb of mothers carrying multiple embryos.
This is often recommended by many doctors and fertility clinics who try to persuade the mother that the children will be at risk for abnormalities or that the mother may die as a result of carrying these babies to term.
While there is danger in every pregnancy for both mother and child, albeit increased in multiple births, no wise person should ignore the great progress made in caring for premature infants and mothers at risk or the fact of abortion for "survival of the fittest."
To say that pro-lifers are silent on this issue is grossly unfair and untrue. There is no life-protecting organization that doesn't speak loudly on this subject.
This brings me to Ellen Goodman's column of on embryonic stem cell research. Statements declaring embryonic stem cell research as the ultimate potential cure for heart-breaking diseases such as Parkison's, diabetes, Lou Geherig's disease etc. are filled with misconceptions and deception, often based on greed.
As the mother of a son, 33, enduring Type 1 diabetes since age nine, I have long been hoping for a cure, but all experiments which have proved promising involved the use of adult stem cells, which are obtained from bone marrow.
Long before Roe v Wade, the pro-life movement constantly warned about the "slippery slope" presenting itself in life issues.
Does anyone ever see the big picture?
Whatever happened to "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you"?
How long will man's pride continue to mock God's mercy?
MARTI RUNYAN
Girard
Help is available for those who seek it
EDITOR:
I thought the two articles in Pulse on Sunday, July 8, were almost ironic: one promoting mentoring for a more fulfilling life, the other, welfare and desperation.
The desperate mom in the story complained about a) being nine months behind on her rent, b) having lost her job due to fighting and alcohol dependency, and c) having no future for her children, no clothes to go and look for a job, and no food in her home. The paper provides a solution for all of them.
In the Local section, under "Where to get help," I found 25 places that offer free food, 11 places offering free clothing, 11-plus offering alcohol and drug programs, (with yet more AA meetings available if you call the alcohol clinic).
There are programs for crime victims, two programs for single parents -- one offers support and training for single moms entering the job market. You have ministries for people who need relationship help, one providing monthly non-denominational & quot; services, another, a 52- week Biblical 12-step program with referral services and spiritual counseling.
The two children in the article were still asleep at 11 a.m. All summer long there are low- and no-cost day camps available for people in need. All summer long, churches offer vacation bible schools, and most will provide transportation. All year long churches minister to children, teens and adults with Sunday school, Bible studies and Wednesday evening programs, and most will help you find a way to the church, if they don't provide transportation themselves.
The article, on mentoring said, & quot;People want more than a paycheck, they want fulfillment. & quot; and & quot;Coaching is like looking into the future. & quot;
There are so many ways to get help and back on your feet in our area. The welfare system gives you four or five years to get off it. They also give college aid. If you are on welfare and have five years, go to college, use the resources of free childcare. Get your degree and make a better life and better decisions for the future. It takes desire and a commitment to the children. Making a decision for a fulfilling life is possible.
MARY WILLIAMS
Canfield
Story of Christian Arabs must be heard, as well
EDITOR:
I would like to add to a letter of last Sunday.
The writer correctly stated that things that may appear reasonable and simple are not. Then he proceeds to give an excellent example in the rest of his letter.
He also falsely concludes that the Palestinian movement only began after the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. Let us remember that before 1948, most of the people who were living in what we now call Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, had been living there for centuries.
They have always considered themselves Palestinians. Further, most of the people who had lived there had become displaced as a result of the war. In fact, the largest group of refugees in the world number about 5 million, and they are Palestinian. Those people have always wanted to return to their homes, but they can't. What the 1967 war did was formalize the movement.
I must also take issue with the implication that all Arabs are the same. Although Arabs share many things they are not homogenous. Such a statement would be akin to saying that there is no difference between the Hopi and Iroquois people. Similarly, the letter suggested that all Arabs are Muslim. This is simply not true.
My family came from little town called Beyt Jala in the outskirts of Bethlehem. We have been Christian since before people were even called Christians. They did not become Muslims when the area was ruled by the Caliphate, nor did they lose their faith when the Crusaders arrived with their version of Christianity that permitted the butchery of over 30,000 Muslim, Jews and Orthodox Christians. In short, my family has been there for a long time, and although my grandparents emigrated to escape the harsh circumstances of Turkish control, I still have relatives who live there under less than ideal conditions.
Most Israelis and Palestinians want peace, but for peace to last, both sides must acknowledge each other's position and history. While most nations have come to accept the state of Israel including Egypt and Jordan, there are still many people who don't recognize the existence of a people who had lived in the same part of the world for a long time until they were forced to leave their homes 53 years ago. A limited understanding of history is not conducive to peace and at times has led to the rationalization of tyrannical oppression or even mass killings of people.
OMAR G. JADUE
Austintown