Gill mistaken about those who oppose stem-cell research

July 13, 2005
Dear Editor,

The recent letter to the editor about embryonic stem-cell research, written by Dr. Gill, is incorrect. Based on a no vote by Congressman Johnson, Dr. Gill states that Congressman Johnson lacks overwhelming common sense or compassion, or both.
I was 21 and my wife was 18 when we married. Last October 12th, We celebrated 47 years of marriage. She died at home on November 30, 2004 at age 65. For about ten years she had Alzheimer's. These last 4 years she needed someone with her all the time. I retired so I might stay home and take care of her.

It is heart wrenching and I cried many time watching the slow change of a women I loved who eventually didn't know her son or daughter's names, no how many children she had. Who didn't know her brothers or sisters. Who wanted to go home 3 or 4 time some days, but didn't now where home was. Who wore depends and needed bathed several times a day. Who needed help in being dressed. Who didn't remember how to chew food, etc. Dr. Gill states that a person opposed to embryonic stem-cell research lacks overwhelming compassion or common sense, or both. He is GREATLY mistaken and doesn't understand the heart of at least one of us who has dealt with Alzheimer's.

My wife's grandmother, my wife's mother, and my wife's uncle had Alzheimer's. The doctors told me that Alzheimer's can be inherited. I have 5 children, and I love them and I am concerned about their future. Like me, my children are opposed to embryonic stem-cell research.

Once we start destroying life for so called research it then becomes easy to have pregnancies for the purpose of providing organs, and on and on we go. I firmly believe that Congressman Tim Johnson did the correct thing when he voted no.

It seemed to me as I read Dr. Gill's letter that his main issue was likely motivated by politics, since he wants to unseat Congressman Johnson in the next election.

Sincerely,
Henry Mohn
Tuscola, Ill.