January 2007

Dear Friends of Life:

First, an explanation is in order as to why you you have not been receiveing many LFL communications lately. The legislative situation in our state and the national level has evolved in a strange way. Laws are brought up and voted on with very little advance notice. Most votes haave come within one or two weeks, which is too short a time frame for LFL, since it takes four weeks to get through the Post Office. The pro-life movement has had to adopt communications like the NJ Right to Life Legislative Alters, which is an e-mail system. If you have e-mail access, go to the Legislative Action Center at the NJ Right to Life website (www.njrtl.org).

It may sound like physical letters sent through "snail-mail" to politicians are no longer effective ... but nothing can be further from the truth! Please remember that most legislators are not "computer-capable," and those that are have little time to spend on their computer. Most legislators still look to see how many letters and post cards came into the office ... Then can not see how many e-mail messages are on the office computer, but it is hard to ignore physical mail. So, please continue to write. Perhaps our grandchildren will abandon physical mail, but right now the vast majority of voters are not computer literate.

EXPLANATION PARAGRAPH (for K of C, Five Minutes For Life and other groups)
PLEASE NOTE THE FORMAT FOR GROUP MEETINGS BELOW

We are returning to the topic of EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH because the New Jersey Legislature has been approving funds to construct research facilities in which cloning of embryonic stem cells that are destroyed for research will take place. A referendum for November is now being proposed which would permit voters to decide whether tax funding will be provided to operate those "clone-and-kill" laboratories. We want to start contacting legislators and to educate the general public about this vital issue from a positive point of view. That is, there are alternatives for stem cell research which do not rely on destroying embryos; therefore, research can go forward without offending the moral ethics of the vast majority who oppose cloning and the destruction of life. A prime example is the report published in the Biotechnology Journal that was widely publicized by the entire media. It appears that researchers at Wake Forest University have been able to make use of stem cells that are floating around in the amniotic fluid which surrounds unborn babies in the womb. These "AFS" stem cells are actually a type of ADULT STEM CELLS. Indications are that AFS cells are superior to EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS in manys. (Your editor has informed you about AFS cells in previous letters, and it is great to have media finally pay attention to such cells.)

Our letter this month will therefore be addressed to the DEMOCRATIC PARTY STATE COMMITTE CHAIRMAN, JOSEPH P. CRYAN. He is the head of all the County Committees. In this capacity he is actually the closest to grass-roots organizations. We want him to hear that voters do not want to fund research that destroys, when it is clear that better alternatives are available. (To demonstrate that we are not "picking" on Democrats, we are also providing Republican contact information for those who can write two letters.)

For our new members, further information is provided below, along with suggested phrases to use in a letter, for those who want such assistance. You may use our suggested phrases, or use your own words. Post cards and hand-written letters are good; just keep them short and courteous.

Remember, we depend entirely on your help and financial support, since there are no membership dues or fees. We have received just enough for this mailing, then we are again out of funds completely. Any donation, no matter how small, is important. Due to work load on volunteers we cannot send acknowledgement for gifts less than $100, unless requested.

Sincerest Regards

Adolph Schimpf, Ph.D.

LETTERS FOR JANUARY 2007:

• Bring a supply of post cards to the meeting.
• Ask members to do only the following:
  • write in their name and address;
  • write in the message;
  • sign the post card.
• After the meeting, you and/or other volunteers put in the name and address of the letter target.

• There are two types of Stem Cell research, EMBRYONIC AND ADULT;
• EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS come from destroying fertilized human eggs and ABORTED BABIES;
• The human body uses ADULT STEM CELLS to heal and cure problems with organs;
• Not one success has come from the use of embryonic stem cells, but hundreds from adult cell tests;
• Researchers have found AFS adult stem cells floating in amniotic fluid surrounding babies in the womb.
• AFS cells are superior to Embryonic stem cells, and so they offer an alternative that does not destroy life.
• We must contact the Democratic Party State Committee Chairman, asking that TAX FUNDS MAY ONLY BE USED FOR RESEARCH THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS.

Add one of the following phrases in your own words, or copy ours:

• Public media has reported that researchers at Wake Forest University have found stem cells in the amniotic fluid that are superior to embryonic stem cells, so it is not necessary to destroy embryos for research.
• Cititzens of both political parties want research that does not offend morality, and so should our legislators.
• The vast majority of NJ voters are opposed to cloning and killing for research. Now researchers have found a type adult stem cell that will be superior to embryonic stem cells.
• Why would legislators offend all the voters who oppose killing embryos, since there is an alternative?
• I support ADULT STEM CELL experiments, but I must object to the use of EMBRYONIC STEM CELL research, because it involves destruction of human life.
• Why not make New Jersey a leader in Adult Stem Cell research? It would be faster, and the potential for economic benefit would be greater.

YOUR EDITOR FREQUENTLY SPEAKS AS AN EXPERT ON STEM CELL RESEARCH. CONTACT (973) 538-3231, EXT 3035, TO ARRANGE A PRESENTATION FOR YOUR GROUP.