The DNA double helix is still a pretty recent discovery, historically speaking, and one of the more amazing scientific facts of all time in my book. DNA is the famous molecular structure that was first described by Francis Crick and James Watson 53 years ago.

This genetic molecule establishes each organism's particular physical characteristics. In 2001, Celera Genomics and the Human Genome Project made a joint presentation which explained (roughly) how the molecule is structured, and how complex it is, and that it is digital in nature. It is now known that each human DNA molecule is made up of chemical bases that are arranged in approximately 3 billion precise sequences. The amount of digital information contained in even a single-celled organism would fill all of the books in any library you could name.

Yes, it's a remarkable discovery, and very complex, but it's the system for translating information connected to the DNA code that knocks science on its ear. For all the advances that have been made in the area of the scientific study of genetics we still know very little, and to the statement that "knowledge" doubles every fourteen months, I would reply that it doesn't apply here. The going is very, very slow.

Genetic embryonic stem cell research is no different, and the moral and ethical questions involved in such research have not been satisfactorily answered for a lot of people. I remember some years ago listening to actor Tom Selleck being interviewed by a man who asked him for his position on government sanctioned and sponsored abortions. His answer was something like, "Since the question of whether or not abortion is right or wrong had so split American citizens, that those Americans who believe it is murder should not be forced to participate by having their tax dollars pay for abortions."

I agreed whole-heartedly with what Selleck, a Libertarian, had to say back then. I also whole-heartedly believe that the same sort of statement applies to embryonic stem cell research. I have known some wonderful people who have suffered greatly from the kinds of injuries and diseases that it is hoped this type of research will bring an end to. That would be great, but until it is known certainly, that we aren't committing a wrong to make those things right, we need to leave it alone.