> 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
>
>