Editor:

As a fellow scientist, I would like to respond to Samuel Passi’s obvious prejudice on the subject of stem cells from his letter (“Stem-cell decision proves Obama is pro-death,” March 10). First of all, embryonic stem-cell research is being conducted around the country, regardless of government support. Whether taxes will support this research is really an irrelevant matter. My taxes have supported many programs and operations that I do not agree with and morally oppose. That’s a component of a true democracy that we all must deal with.
Passi starts his highly inappropriate and inflammatory argument by saying “a life is a life is a life.” But Mr. Passi, what is life? As a biologist, you should understand this is a very complex question, without a clear answer. Science has difficulty answering the question, but you believe you know the answer. Your ideology is biasing your science.
While Passi has a blatant agenda, scientists have an objective view on matters, basing their decisions and understanding on data and information. Ironically, Passi is entering the field as an opponent to his own career.

Matthew Janczak,
Graduate Student, Chemistry