Dear Sirs:

The Star's recent article (Stem-Cell Plan Dies, May 11), fails to make basic distinctions necessary to conduct an honest debate on this important issue. Contrary to what the article implies not a single Kansas legislator has proposed a blanket ban on state-funded stem-cell research. Articles that cloud the true position of opponents of human cloning by implying that we oppose all stem-cell research fail to provide readers an accurate picture of the nuance associated with this debate. While I very much appreciate the Star's willingness to give coverage to this important issue I do hope that all who are involved in this debate can do so with an attitude of grace toward those with whom we disagree. This includes honestly engaging the actual arguments on each side rather than offering up straw men.

With this in mind allow me to clarify that the actual proposal that was considered by the legislature would have imposed a one year ban on state funding of the somatic cell nuclear transfer process (SCNT). SCNT is not stem-cell research, rather it is a process used to create cloned embryos for use in one type of such research. SCNT is the exact process used to create Dolly the Sheep, use of this process to create human life is fraught with ethical difficulties. All of this having been said, the opponents of SCNT in the Kansas legislature strongly favor non-embryonic stem cell research. Indeed, it was we, and not the proponents of SCNT, who successfully fought to add hundreds of thousands of dollars to the state budget to fund ethical stem-cell research. Setting ethical issues aside, this type of research has the added advantage of having produced actual treatments.

I hope that this letter will, in some small way, clarify the position of opponents of SCNT, thus allowing us to move forward with honest and respectful debate on this vital matter.

Lance Kinzer
State Representative, Dist. 14
Olathe