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Real Stem Cell Progress
While the U.S. Senate wastes the taxpayers’ time by considering whether to try to override the presidential veto of a bill permitting federal funding of embryonic stem-cell research, a new bill in the House of Representatives would promote stem-cell research and clinical trials that do not involve the destruction of human embryos.
The Patients First Act, introduced by Republican Rep. J. Randy Forbes of Virginia and Democratic Rep. Dan Lipinski of Illinois, is worthy of consideration because it will promote stem-cell research that is helping patients now in clinical trials, or showing real benefits in animal trials.
At a recent Capitol Hill news conference, three patients who have benefited from treatments using adult or umbilical-cord-blood stem cells and two physicians who have performed such treatments spoke in favor of the Patients First Act.
The legislation would “promote research and human clinical trials using stem cells that are ethically obtained and show evidence of providing clinical benefit for human patients” and would direct the secretary of Health and Human Services to give priority in federal funding to such research and trials, according to the text of the bill.
It provides real hope for millions of Americans, not just political posturing for those in the politically correct crowd. Testimony claimed that this bill ensures that finding cures for diabetes and other more devastating diseases is correctly prioritized, while proving that we don’t have to choose between advancing medical techniques and contentious life issues.
The issue of embryonic stem-cell research needlessly has become divisive. There are cures and human lives at stake, if only our lawmakers would put politics aside in favor of real hope for progress.
Blood Is the Lifeline
The summer months are a critical time for the supply of blood in our hospitals and blood banks across the city and nation. These are the days of vacations and leisure time. Those who normally make donations of blood are preoccupied. Many others simply are out of town, enjoying well-deserved respites.
 But the need for blood remains. Surgeries still are scheduled. Emergencies still occur. People’s lives literally depend on whether or not we find the time to donate a pint of our blood.
Parish churches and schools and other religious organizations, such as the Knights of Columbus and Catholic War Veterans, have done yeoman’s jobs opening up their facilities to the Red Cross and conducting summer blood drives. At a recent drive held at St. Nicholas of Tolentine parish, Jamaica, about 40 pints of blood were added to the local supply.
We call upon all parishes to get behind the drive to donate blood, especially during the summer months when the shortage becomes extremely critical. Parishioners can step up to the plate and hit a home run by helping to organize the efforts in their parishes.
To learn about blood donation opportunities, visit the web site www.givelife.org or call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543).
Jesus’ ‘Hidden Life’
This is the quiet time in the liturgical year when Sunday readings are taken mainly from the lessons of Jesus gleaned from His “hidden life” when he was growing up in Nazareth. He went about His daily tasks and experiences, anticipating His public ministry. Conflicts and confrontations, so to speak, were left for another day.
This is the time when we hear about domestic meetings with friends, like Mary and Martha, His lessons on the effectiveness of prayer, and the need for perseverance. We see Jesus doing the little things that seem to be mysterious to those of us who would opt for a more engaged and more gregarious Son of Man among us.
There is a lesson in Jesus’ actions for those of us who live so quickly and so pragmatically. We tend to brush over the little things in life, the things that take up the bulk of our daily time. We need to pay more attention to sharing neighborly concerns, to simple celebrations and times of mourning, to sharing gifts, perhaps photographs that bind us together. These are opportunities from God the Father, the One who bids us, as He did Jesus, to call him “Abba” or “Father.” He calls us to live each day as loved ones under His Providence.
The “hidden life” of Jesus is far from unimportant. It is a testimony to the evaluation that life is precious. Each day is to be grasped and savored and lived to the utmost.
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