Tuesday, January 20, 1998

Benefits of cloning

With all the uproar in the news about cloning, I have not heard much about the practical aspects of this new technology. I don't think the scientists who started these experiments really intended on cloning whole human beings. What they had in mind was cloning parts - organs, limbs, skin, teeth, etc. - for medical purposes.

If scientists were able to take cells from your own body and grow whatever body part you needed, there would be no more shortage of organs for organ transplants, no more gruesome tales of illegal organ harvesting and, best of all, no more problems with rejection.

It is my understanding that this technology is already being used to grow human skin for transplants. Think what this could mean to someone who was missing a limb, an eye or had diabetes or liver or heart disease.

While there may be legitimate reasons to be concerned about the cloning of whole human beings, the present attitude toward cloning reminds me very much of the attitude of the public toward growing scientific knowledge that was reflected in the first novel about Frankenstein's monster. Why look only on the negative side and jump to conclusions as a result?

God gave us this technology and the ability to use it wisely. Shouldn't we do just that?

SHARON NORMAN

Abilene

Glory and honor

This letter is in response to Michael Grigsby's Jan. 12 letter, "Glory to the flag."

First, I would like to say thank you to Grigsby for his service to our country in the U.S. Air Force. I too am an "Air Force brat" and proud of it.

To answer Grigsby's question, "Does anyone else remember what it means to stand up for what is right, just because it is right?" The answer is yes. And I think you would be surprised at the numbers. I think we tend to be influenced by the news we read every day. I know I am quite the cynic these days. But this news is generated by and is about a small percentage of people. Then there is the silent majority, the millions who know right from wrong, the ones Grigsby is asking about.

I am involved in an organization called the Veterans' Honor Guard. We provide military honors at no charge for veterans' funerals upon the request of the family, provided they were honorably discharged. I would like to invite Grigsby, and all other area service members, current or ex, to join our group.

Our phone numbers are: Sgt. Ralph Rodriguez, 893-2678 (this is a local call from Abilene); and PO3 Dan Cranor, 673-5741. We will have a meeting Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Disabled American Veterans building, 2555 Grape, for new members.

I would like to thank the Dyess Honor Guard for training Rodriguez and myself last summer. Bravo Zulu to Master Sgt. Myers and Senior Airman Hubbard for taking us in and sharing their expertise.

DAN CRANOR

Abilene

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