ANSAN
THE UNIVERSITY JANRY BASSM
MONDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2006
OPINION
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PAPER ROCK SCISSORS
LEARNING TO PLAY
Call 864-0500
FREE FOR ALL
Free for All callers have 20 seconds to speak about any topic they wish. Kanser editors reserve the right to omit comments. Slander and obscene statements will not be printed. Phone numbers of all incoming calls are recorded.
Grant Snider/KANSAN
If you're an atheist and you sneeze, what are you supposed to say — "When you die, let me eat."
totally has your ass beat.
Free for All, are you gonna be published during finals week? Because if not, I really don't think I'm gonna make it through the
week
To the beautiful Jewish woman who works at the Ellsworth desk, I have loved you, and if it was legal, I would marry you.
My banjo's sick
I'm in Lawrence and I just sat at a table of six and I was the only one who believed in evolution. What the hell?
It's 3 in the morning on Saturday morning and I'm watching an infemoral about frozen chicken. Why does this always happen?
totally has your ass beat.
I on 70 to going to the KU game, we just realized we don't know where Kemper
totally has your ass beat.
Sasha Kaun should declare for the draft so we're not stuck with him anymore.
Why is there a nativity scene on the top of
The Crossing? What the heck? Jesus would
Holy moly, guacamole.
Hey Lew Perkins, how about scheduling Wichita State for basketball?
not approv
Free for All, it's like 3 in the morning. I am drunk and I want to tell the twins on the third floor that they suck because they won't hang out with us and we don't know why
This is from all the girls in the Grand Prix to the girls who were in the Dodge Neon at Taco Bell who sat in line for five minutes so we couldn't get our meals at 3:01. We hate
and were
totally has your ass beat.
To the employee at the McDonalds on 23rd; Remember to put my barbecue sauce in my bag when I go through the drive-through. The McDonalds on Sixth Street
totally has your ass beat.
Tree promotes charity, not religion
After reading Joseph Harrington's Letter to the Editor ("Christian Decoration inappropriate at Rec Center, Dec. 6), I decided to pay a visit to the controversial "decoration" in the Student Recreation and Fitness Center's lobby.
It was interesting to discover that the Salvation Army's Angel Tree display did not include a manger scene, crucifix, Bible passage or any hint of Christian evangelizing. The angels did, however, have some information on them; the clothing sizes of underprivileged children who could use a helping hand during the holiday season.
The Angel Tree Program is geared toward enabling individuals to purchase clothing items and toys for children in need. These children — who don't have to be Christian
to quality for assistance — will undoubtedly enjoy a warmer, more fulfilling winter because of the efforts of KU students and the Salvation Army.
In light of these observations, it would seem unconscionable to deny disadvantaged children a more enjoyable December on the grounds that a display containing angels (who are also prominent within the Jewish and Islamic faiths) would constitute a state endorsement of one particular religion.
I would encourage everyone, regardless of religious preference, to make a positive difference in the lives of those who are less fortunate this holiday season.
Samuel Stepp Mission Hills senior
GUEST COMMENTARY
Form educated opinion about stem cell research
If a loved one or someone close to you was suffering from a cell-based deficiency as a result of disease or injury, would you seriously consider it a medical condition knowing that there could be a potential solution?
I'm speaking of human embryonic stem cells, which have the potential to act as a repair system for many specialized cell functions in the body.
I assume that you have your own belief toward stem cell research. Is that your true opinion, or is it how someone else feels? I say this because ideas and opinions are sometimes instilled into your mind, preventing you from consciously thinking about your own feelings.
I confess that I once became a victim to someone else's opinion. Growing up Catholic, I can honestly say I was never taught the positive implications of stem cells in school. I was only subjected to one-sided religious thought. Stem cells equaled abortion, which is a moral no-no in most religious doctrines. I feel too many people are left in the dark.
I took a Modern Biology class earlier this year, and we covered stem cell research. We taught both the positive implications as well as the negative aspects. My mind was opened up to new ideas, and I was enlightened to an unbiased truth.
Through stem cell research scientists have been able to learn about the possible future benefits of using embryonic stem cells as a way of treatment. The stem cells are taken from human embryos — which have already been selected for destruction — and have been fertilized through in vitro fertilization. Consent has to be given by the donor. Once extracted, they are transferred to a Petri dish.
where they divide into renewed cells
The stem cells are unspecialized, enabling them to divide and renew for a long period of time. Possible cures include Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, cancer, spinal cord injury, nerve damage, stroke, heart disease, diabetes, Duchenne's dystrophy, hearing loss, vision loss, burns, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
* I did mention there were negative aspects with the use of embryonic stem cells. Stem cell research is in an infantile stage in regard to scientific study. It has only been studied since 1998. This remains undeveloped because of the many restrictions and bans placed upon the research. This has caused a hold on further tests showing the safety of embryonic stem cells. Scientists have to be able to rule out any harm that could result from cell-based therapy. They will have to make sure that the cells could not cause tumor formation or the transmission of infectious agents.
Another major debate is held over the morality of the use embryonic stem cells. Many people believe the embryo is a human being and view its destruction as murder.
Embryonic stem cell research poses a major social and ethical challenge. It is hard for me to sit here and think about how we are barely acting on a potential medical breakthrough. There are pros and cons that surround this topic, but sometimes you must weigh the positives over the negatives. But no matter what your stand on the issue is, make sure it's what you truly believe.
Timothy J. Welby II
St. Louis sophomore