> Re: http://www.ascb.org/news/vol25no3/ie/March-03.html

>

> -----Original Message-----

> From: NEWMAN STUART

> Sent: Tuesday, April 02, 2002 2:15 PM

> To:   [log in to unmask]

> Subject:      Att: Elizabeth Marincola

>

> Dear Ms. Marincola,

>

> Perhaps you changed your mind after telling me on March 5 that you

> considered my testimony on cloning before the Senate Health Education

> Labor and Pensions Committee "thoughtful" and "responsible."  Still, I

> don't think this justifies the disproportionate coverage you gave in the

> ASCB Newsletter to Paul Berg's testimony and my own (two long paragraphs

> vs 1 sentence).  The single sentence describing my participation not only

> spelled my name incorrectly, but incorrectly stated that I spoke in

> support of the Brownback bill.  I spoke against experimental human

> cloning--the Brownback bill was mentioned neither in my oral nor written

> testimony.  Indeed, there are aspects of the Brownback bill, such as its

> proposed criminal sanctions, with which I have real problems.

>

> I view ASCB as primarily a scientific society--not only a professional

> interest group--although I know current members of the board and

> administrative staff may disagree.  My view of the Society is that it

> should promote discussion on contentious issues within and pertaining to

> cell biology--not simply present a party line.  It would be difficult from

> the coverage you gave to my views for any readers of the Newsletter to

> distinguish my position from that of the anti-abortion Right, or to

> discern that there is sentiment against experimental human cloning from

> environmentalist and feminist organizations, or from groups critical of

> inappropriate applications of biotechnology, such as the Council for

> Responsible Genetics (Cambridge, MA).  Do all ASCB members except for

> myself consider that the role of cell biology in the human future is

> unproblematic?  From my discussions with other scientists, I don't think

> so.

>

> Sincerely,

>

> Stuart Newman

>

> ***********************************************

> Stuart A. Newman, Ph.D.

> Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy

> Basic Science Building

> New York Medical College

> Valhalla, NY 10595

>

> Tel:  (914) 594-4048

> Fax: (914) 594-4653

> E-mail: [log in to unmask]

> Web: http://www.nymc.edu/sanewman

>

>