Focus should be on mental health

This is in reference to the article that appeared in The Daily Star on July 18 titled "Lindberg home hit by alleged dumper."

Contrary to Donald Lindberg’s speculations, the incident on Main Street, Worcester, had nothing to do with MOSA or him personally.

Instead of thinking of buying ammunition for his guns, it would be more beneficial to the community if Mr. Lindberg as chairman of the Otsego County Board of Representatives would advocate improved medical help for the mentally ill.

Carolyn Lepore

Summit

Lepore is the mother of James Lepore, who was charged by state police with second-degree reckless endangerment, third-degree criminal mischief, resisting arrest and several vehicle and traffic infractions following this incident.

Death penalty used in WWII

In the front-page article about Korey Rowe in your Wednesday, July 25, issue it was stated that "Although the death penalty is on the books as a punishment for desertion during wartime, it has not been used in the modern era."

This statement is not true. Pvt. Eddie Slovik was executed during World War II by the U.S. Army when he walked away from the combat zone in Europe and told his superiors that he would help in any way, but could not use his gun to kill another human being.

That was a use of the death penalty for desertion, and I assume that World War II is included in the "modern era."

Jamie Potter

Otego

Research with adult stem cells

Ellen Goodman (June 16) claims embryonic stem-cell research is essential and should be federally funded so scientists can discover how to persuade a heart, brain or liver cell to fix what ails us. She claims scientists reject adult stem cells for research.

On May 14, the American College of Pediatricians called for an end to embryonic stem-cell research and recommended exclusive support of the proven-effective adult stem-cell research, (Michelle Cretella, M.D., fellow of the American College of Pediatricians.)

According to the ACP, "Adult stem-cells for the last decade, have been used to successfully treat spinal cord injuries, heart failure, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, certain forms of cancer and dozens of other conditions in human trials."

The group noted further, "not only does embryonic research take the life of human embryos but results from human embryonic stem-cell trials have been catastrophic."

The ACP concluded, "Every dollar spent on the failed embryonic stem-cell research steals resources from the established utility and potential of adult stem-cell research. This is fiscally irresponsible and medically unconscionable.

Dr. G. Daley of Harvard University claims embryonic stem-cell research is necessary. According to a Jan. 8 Associated Press story by Paul Elias, Dr. Daley began work to clone human embryos last year. Two animal studies show therapeutic cloning benefits but require fetal stage and newborn clones.

"I have put before you life or death, blessing or curse. Choose life ..." (Deuteronomy 30:19)

Rita Armstrong

Oneonta