Letters to the Editor
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.
‘Frankenstein Science’
Daniel Johnson, in his response to the new English law permitting the creation of hybrid animal-human embryos, bemoans the possibility, nay the arrival, of a civilized country tampering with the dignity and sanctity of human life [Oped, “Frankenstein Science,” May 22, 2008].
The history of science and religion, it seems to me, is one in which so many new scientific findings are opposed by the defenders of some status quo.
True, the advances and solutions which science discovers bring with them new problems that we must then try to solve.
We have not solved our never ending conflicts because we are neither so dignified nor as sacred as many would like to believe.
We are just animals with human brains, capable of both good and evil. Neither scientific freedom, which Mr. Johnson asserts, nor religious doctrine are “infinitely precious.”
FRED SANDER
Associate clinical professor of psychiatry
Weill-Cornell Medical School
New York, N.Y.
‘Kennedy’s Example’
Your examples of Edward Kennedy’s constructive compromise are correct except for “no child left behind” [Editorial, “Kennedy’s Example,” May 21, 2008].
His “compromise” was to prohibit President Bush from adding a provision that the federal funds could be used for private school vouchers.
Mr. Kennedy went ballistic citing all the harm it would do to unions. He did this at the behest of unions, not because he thought vouchers for private schools produced bad outcomes.
DAVE O’NEILL
New York, N.Y.
‘Irena Sendler, 98, Saved 2,500 Children From Nazis’
As Israel celebrates her 60th year of independence, Irena Sendler of Poland is the latest heroine to join a host of non-Jews including Oskar Schindler, Raoul Wallenberg, and Winifred Wagner (daughter of composer Richard Wagner) who aided Jewish men, women, and children in their escape from Nazi tyranny during World War II [Obituaries, “Irena Sendler, 98, Saved 2,500 Children From Nazis,” May 13, 2008].
They all should receive blessings from Holocaust survivors as well as the citizens of the entire free world for their heroic deeds.
In particular, Poland has good reason to hold its head high for giving us the likes of Irena Sendler whose quiet persona and craftiness saved some 2,500 children from certain death. Sadly, she has passed away.
HERB STARK
Massapequa, N.Y.
