Earliest Forms of Life? Ask an Embryologist

Thank you for your interesting and informative article on the economic interests behind Proposition 71 (“Stem Cell Firms Bet on Big Payoff,” Nov. 7).

Denise Gellene was correct in noting that the reason there was (and still is) so much controversy surrounding 71 is the fact that, yes, embryonic stem cells can only be obtained through the destruction of human embryos.

She was incorrect, however, when she stated that some consider embryos the earliest form of human life. Some indeed may; nevertheless, everyone armed with the scientific facts knows that human embryos are, by definition, among the earliest forms of human life. Just ask any embryologist.

Those who disagree are either ignorant of the facts, or they are so blinded by prejudice that they fail to see the truth.

Brent Taylor Stenhouse

Torrance