The writer is director of the Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research at UCSF.
Weiner's side
Re "Obama hints that Weiner should resign," June 14
Is the behavior of Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.) worth his resignation?
Weiner's wife works for Hillary Rodham Clinton, whose own husband had a sexual relationship with a young woman. Bill Clinton's past behavior is irrelevant now, and his wife is secretary of State. Her political life would be different had her husband's career been cut short.
Perhaps the American media should learn from France's and steer clear of politicians' sex lives. Yes, Weiner's sexual appetites are distracting, but the fact that he can lose his job serving the people who voted for him is arguably more distracting.
Mat Copas
Cali, Colombia
Dying wishes
Re " 'Dr. Death' was just a sideshow," Opinion, June 12
Betty Rollin's excellent article relegates Jack Kevorkian to the sidelines of those who would constructively advocate "death with dignity."
The fact that two states, Oregon and Washington, have enacted laws to provide for peaceful end-of-life solutions in spite of Kevorkian is a credit to the voters of those states. Much credit also goes to the Death With Dignity National Center, which has fought for similar laws throughout the country.
It is hard to understand how anyone can watch a family member endure constant pain for weeks and not be in favor of a legal, safe and dignified death law. For those with religious reservations, please follow your beliefs and let the rest of us have the option of a dignified death.
Robert J. Banning
Pasadena
Alabama drama
Re "Alabama enacts strict immigration law," June 10
Conducting mandatory witch-hunts at school and making it a crime to knowingly give an illegal immigrant a ride are going a little too far. Not only is it mean-spirited, it's downright un-American. My hope is that the American Civil Liberties Union is successful in its lawsuit against the state.
In the meantime, I would like to see a nationwide boycott of Alabama. Republican Gov. Robert Bentley and the rest of those in favor of the new immigration law appear to have a severe case of xenophobia. As far as I'm concerned, it's best to stay away.
JoAnn Lee Fran
Clearwater, Fla.
