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Legislators should leave science to the scientists
by A.C. Cowan

This bill has passed the Senate and a key House committee and, I quote, "would pit religion against science."

There is a marked similarity between this bill and HB 370 which has passed the House and is being considered by the Senate.

HB 370 would seek to ban public funds from being used for somatic cell nuclear transfer research (SCNT). This research is the bright light of hope for those like me, who live with a death sentence imposed on me by Parkinson's, an incurable disease. This research gives hope not only to those suffering from Parkinson's but will also cure diabetes, spinal cord injury, stroke and a host of other diseases with its effect felt by millions worldwide.

There has been suggested criminalization of the patients being a part of the consequence of their seeking the benefits of this research. Can you imagine being hauled into court to be tried as a criminal, your offense being that you used a medication prescribed by your physician and resulting from SCNT?

What, may I ask, qualifies the Louisiana legislators to don the cloak of scientific expertise and deny medical care to those suffering and waiting for a cure?

I have posed this question to two legislators and am waiting for a reply. Heaven forbid that you, too, should be struck by an incurable disease, but if so, from whom would you seek medical advice and care? Would it be from a qualified doctor of medicine or from the legislator sitting next to you? We all know the answer. So what in the world is this body of untrained, would-be scientists doing meddling in a field in which a misstep by even the best-trained people could prove to be life-threatening?

There are the constant scoffers who say nothing of value will or has come from this research. With time, more effective and productive use will be forthcoming. To them, I urge patience. Count the time from the first iron lung appearance to the time you sucked the vaccine out of a sugar cube and polio was conquered. That was not a short journey, and Jonas Salk did not have the Louisiana legislators to contend with.

HB 370 deserves to be defeated and science left to scientists. Please help us overcome this monstrous legislation and keep the lamp of hope burning brightly. Call or write your legislator and urge a "no" vote.

A.C. Cowan, of Shreveport, is the Louisiana legislative coordinator of the Parkinson's Action Network.