letters

The recent stem-cell breakthrough must not lessen efforts to allow research on embryonic stem cells.

Embryonic cells are like the front door of a house. You can still get into the house without using the door, but you have to put up a ladder, try to find a second-story window you can pry open, then lug the groceries downstairs. The recent success means we have found a window we think we can jimmy. But it will take a long time to carry the groceries to the kitchen, even if they will fit through the window.

In the first place, today's breakthrough would not even have been possible without previous research on embryonic cells. Second, to make the new technique succeed, we still need embryonic cells for comparison and guidance. Third, embryonic cells promise practical applications sooner than any other technique. Fourth, embryonic cells may well point the way to other breakthroughs such as this one.

Embryonic stem cells are still the front door to stem-cell research. We should not let this door remain locked.

MIKE ANGLIN, APPLE VALLEY

The money and the athletes

It seems like every time a big-name sports player leaves it's never about the money.

If it's so important to keep people like Torii Hunter around, maybe we can put the price of beer and hot dogs at the Dome up to $10 each.

Or maybe we should put out some penny jars, anything to keep the best players. Hunter was offered $15 million a year for three years!

Let's see. If you make $50,000 a year, it will only take you 300 years to earn $15 million. What's wrong with this picture?

STEVE FOX, HASTINGS, MINN.

A cruelty-free holiday

I wonder if I am the only one who was disturbed by the Star Tribune's Nov. 22 headline "A really, really, really big turkey."

The turkey was nearing the end of its "useful life?" Obviously that means useful to humans, as I am sure the turkey would disagree.

I am thankful that I had a cruelty-free holiday and did not have turkey. I am thankful that I have the empathy and the ability to see beyond my family and realize the exploitation of millions of animals every day. And I am sure the turkey I did not kill is thankful for having his life.

AMY HILBURGER, OAKDALE

Witness the flaws in Wigley's arguments

In response to Michael Wigley's Nov. 21 Counterpoint, "Witness the conscience of a liberal": Wigley wants to blames slow reform of public education (and other big public systems) on liberals simply because a known liberal has pointed out that such reform is slow. Then he, with considerable more accuracy, mentions legislative and bureaucratic "hand-wringing, analyzing and politicking."