In the past decade, numerous advances have been made in medical science, despite the fact that politicians and religious fanatics often throw up roadblocks that hobble some of these efforts.

Certainly there are ethical questions that sometime must be addressed, but addressed within reason, minus selfish motives.

Just this past week, we saw a difference of opinion between Democratic candidates Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton involving stem cell research. Clinton has been an avid supporter and Sanders apparently is changing his tune somewhat to be more in favor.

Stem cell treatments for various illnessess, including many kinds of cancers, have accelerated since 2007 when Japanese researchers discovered that they could roll back the clock on a person’s own stem cells, thus reducing the chance of cell rejection during treatments. That process took some of the pressure off embryonic stem cell debates.

As well, a concept known as immunotherapy made the headlines when former President Jimmy Carter was successfully treated for brain tumors that were the result of melanoma.

Quite often we see where the “ox in the ditch” factor comes into play in regard to medical treatments and related research.

First Lady Nancy Reagan got on the bandwagon for stem cell research when it was learned that President Reagan suffered from Alzheimer’s. Reagan was not a stalwart for that type of research.

Anyone whose family deals with health issues of great magnitude likely do not view medical research as being Democrat or Republican issues nor do they kowtow to religious fanaticism in that venue. They are looking for quantity and quality of life brought to us by some of our brightest minds.

America should never find itself behind in medical research. We should be pursuing treatments and cures with the same tenacity that we seek to spread democracy.