Madam, - It is important to acknowledge when an institution which takes its fair share of criticism from within and without does something right. The decision by the governing body of UCC to allow researchers to use human embryonic stem-cell lines is commendable. UCC deserves great credit for addressing this issue in the absence of any move by the Government.
I think the insistence on the use of pre-existing stem cell lines and imported cells is unfortunate as it seems like "an Irish solution to an Irish problem", allowing us to fudge some of the ethical considerations. However, I accept it is a necessary element in having the decision approved and thus facilitating this research.
When I heard of the decision I was proud to work in this university and I commend the governing body for its mature and bold decision. - Yours, etc,
Dr DECLAN JORDAN,
Department of Economics, University College Cork.
Madam, - I would like William Binchy (October 29th) to clarify whether or not TCD performs vivisection on horses and other animals, as has been asserted in these pages recently.
If his answer is yes, can he explain why he is affronted by the notion that University College Cork might engage in stem-cell research, which is performed on non-sentient tissue, but not bothered by the torture inflicted on sentient animals by his own employer? If his answer is that the human species is so demonstrably superior to all others on this earth that it merits quite different "humane values", can he explain why Robert Mugabe is accepted as a world leader in this century, as Adolf Hitler and Josef Stalin were in the last, to name but three human monsters?
If he maintains that the human species is set apart because it is made in the image of an everlasting deity and subject to divine law, can he accept that those of us who do not share his belief might be inclined to think, as I do, that stem-cell research is a logical advance of the medical prowess of the human species, while animal vivisection is an indefensible manifestation of selfish human cruelty. - Yours, etc,
ETHNA TINNEY,
Grange, Co Limerick.
Madam, - The decision to allow embryonic stem cell research to be undertaken at Cork university is tremendously disappointing.
It is important that third-level institutes in Ireland strive to provide cutting-edge research that can offer new scientific and clinical applications. This research must be evidence-based and conducted with the highest ethical standards.
Embryonic stem-cell research,however, fails to meet these criteria. Not only is it unethical because it involves the destruction of the human embryo; to date it has also failed to have any successful clinical applications.
By contrast, adult stem cells and the more recently developed pluripotent stem cells continue to reveal successful clinical applications such as treatment of cardiac conditions, diabetes, spinal cord injury and blood diseases. - Yours, etc,
ANNE-MAREE QUINN,
Blackrock, Co Dublin.