Modern Quasi-grand Inquisitors Vilify Freedom of Scientific Research

By

Sherman N. Miller

Life is full of ups and downs, so strong families learn how to weather the crises when they come. But sometimes we all need to dump our feelings without worrying that someone will use them against us at a later date.

            I was at Disney World in Orlando, FL, in July 2006, sitting on a ledge waiting for my wife and granddaughters to return from rides. There was a Caucasian American chap sitting next to me who appeared to be in his early thirties. This young chap shared that he was a public school teacher. He also revealed that he was working towards a masters degree in education.

            We began to exchange notes on our beliefs that middle school was where the emphasis needs to be placed to upgrade America’s public education systems. This young school teacher shared that roughly eighty percent of his students were Hispanic even though he does not speak Spanish. A number of his students were also on free lunch. This teacher appeared to have a clear vision on helping his students to be successful.

            This young teacher shared that his five-year-old son contracted leukemia at age two and a half. He said his family was visiting Disney World because the Make-A-Wish Foundation had sponsored them.

            I did not know what to say, so I concluded it would best if I just provided a good ear to listen. This young school teacher never complained about having to provide constant care for his child, but it was obvious that he was worrying aloud over the potential of losing his baby.

            His wife showed up with a little boy that appeared full of life. The school teacher introduced us. Just seeing the happiness on this little boy’s face said everything that needed to be said.

            As this young family walked away, I was very thankful that I had two healthy granddaughters with whom to share this Disneyland experience. I must admit that these two granddaughters knew how to get things out of my wife and me that we had no intention of giving. These girls exploited puppy eyes that their father once used on us when he was a child.  

            Yet spending a day at Disney World and allowing the grandchildren to ride the rides, eat junk food, see a movie, witness the parade, and see the beautiful fireworks did not overshadow the sympathy that I felt for the young school teacher with the son fighting leukemia. My granddaughter’s father was a premature baby, so I recalled my anxiety watching my helpless baby lying in an incubator.

If stem-cell research has the potential to develop cures for life threatening diseases, then it is criminal to see the US Federal Government burying its head in the sand by not supporting this vital research effort. The last thing the United States of America needs is to allow today’s uncompromising believers to evolve into modern day quasi-grand inquisitors who vilify freedom of scientific research, thereby encumbering the pursuit of tomorrow’s cures for today’s killer diseases.  Thus, I ask, shouldn’t we offer today’s terminally ill children a chance for a brighter tomorrow since a potential quantum leap in medical treatment merely requires that we not shun scientific progress that runs counterpoised to our personal beliefs?   

Return