Genetic Gold

To the Editors:

Let's hope that gene splicing [March 9] produces happier results than the offspring of some previous discoveries of science and industry. We can do without the equivalents of thalidomide, vinyl chloride, PCB, dioxin, napalm and hydrogen bombs. Genetic engineers have not yet shown themselves to be more reliable or mindful of the outcome of their creations than their industrial predecessors.

Jeffrey Boone Miller San Francisco

The gene splicers have let the genie out of the bottle. But they will not bring peace or prosperity. For if bacteria can consume oil spills in peace, they can certainly eat an enemy's fuel supply in war. In a nation already at the mercy of its energy supply, what better way to be destroyed by a foe?

Gerald E. Anderson Los Angeles

I thought I was quite well informed on genes and chromosomes.

I know somewhat of E. coli, of Mendel's laws and clones.

I know recombinant DNA, interferon, double helix and such, But gene splicing makes it very clear I sure don't know so much.

This genetic engineering, with its adenine, cytosine, Hybridomas and lambda phage, thymine and guanine--Why disturb my microbial balance, or give orders to my cells To duplicate and replicate whatever biotechnology tells?

Ididn 't know myplasmids were engaged in replication, Or obsessed with "sexual dalliance " that they term conjugation! With just unisex, it was bad enough: why, the only ways and

means

Of sorting out the boys from girls was by lowering their genes.

Charles D. Perry Tuscaloosa, Ala.

If genetic engineers can find the key to growing new teeth, they will have done a great deed for humankind.

William Morgan New York City

Judging the Lady

The charges and verdict in the Jean Harris case seemed harsh [March 9]. If she and Tarnower had been ordinary people, she would not have been convicted of second-degree murder. Jean Harris' position in society convicted her. What good is it to put Mrs. Harris behind bars for 15 years? She is no threat to anyone.

Betty Simon Canton, Ga.

Does Mrs. Harris' high social standing and upper-class background make Dr. Tarnower's murder any less a crime? Many women survive bad affairs, withstanding mental, even physical abuse, without murdering their former lovers.

Annette M. Rose Syracuse

Dr. Tarnower was responsible for Jean Harris' jealousy, which is a moderate form of insanity. When she shot Tarnower, she was mildly insane and should not have been found guilty of murder.

Ernest G. Pihl Arlington, Mass.

American Renewal

I am an American student in Taiwan. After reading American Renewal [Feb. 23], I felt that I was not alone in having faith in the recovery of our nation. Admittedly, the U.S. has many problems, but the American system is based on sound concepts. Perhaps all Americans should spend time living in a completely different culture. They would achieve a greater awareness of America's resources, both natural and human.

Elizabeth Knup Taipei

The section on rebuilding our foreign policy wisely urges resumption of SALT talks and detente. But it then demands more arms, more CIA intervention and the draft.

For the past 35 years, every advance in weaponry by the U.S. has caused the Soviet Union to follow suit. Then the hawks cry, "They are trying to pass us! More arms!" So the peril of annihilation escalates and security diminishes. We should be negotiating disarmament, not finding excuses for further delay.

Why should we have more of the CIA's dirty tricks? They toppled popular governments and substituted oppressive dictatorships in Iran, Guatemala and Chile, thus earning for America the hatred of freedom-loving people in those countries and elsewhere. Why should we fan anti-Soviet paranoia by implying that only they commit "brazen and brutal" aggression, as in Afghanistan. In recent years the U.S. has intervened militarily in the Dominican Republic and in Viet Nam to impose governments favorable to us. We do not need a renewed imperialist image but a people-loving image.

Benjamin Spock, M.D. Rogers, Ark.

The special undertaking by all of Time Inc.'s magazines dealing with American Renewal was like a breath of fresh air. Renewal of the American ethos is the linchpin of Western survival. People everywhere need to focus on renewal for the whole of Western civilization. However, we must recognize that the indispensable detonator is renaissance within America itself.

Jim Cameron, M.P. Parliament of New South Wales Carlingford, Australia

TIME'S otherwise excellent reporting on American Renewal was unduly pessimistic about the threat of Communism. The workers of the world have not united, at least not under the same banner. The Soviet Union has very few allies anywhere in the world--far fewer than the U.S. It has satellites populated by increasingly restless populations and dissidents and, in the case of China, the Soviets have a massive and hostile neighbor.

Gordon Ackerman Helsinki

Mebane's Memoirs

I would like to thank Mary Mebane for her vivid and thorough descriptions of black life in the South before the civil rights revolution [March 2]. The shame that is caused by the remembrance of this period is the best medicine for preventing history from repeating itself.

Bardia Besharat Canoga Park, Calif.

Mary Mebane's rhetoric of past injustice and special privilege in our society during the '40s reminded me of my introduction to black people. I grew up in rural South Dakota, where blacks were seldom seen. Then I joined the Navy. I knew of no reason not to sit by a black man on a city bus in Norfolk, Va. Consequently I was astounded when the black passengers screamed "White trash!" and "Move up where you belong!" On the other hand, the whites seemed content with casting hateful looks in my direction.

I am happy that progress has been made. I hope that writers will stop reminding us of an angry past, so that race will no longer interfere with friendship. It's all been said before.

H. Clyde Van Sickle Watertown, S. Dak.

My Friend Walter

When our son was not quite three, he created an imaginary playmate to help him cope with the stress of a new sister. For two years we listened to the stories of their adventures. We had good reason not to doubt our son and his friend. He called his steadfast companion Walter Cronkite [March 9].

Susan Bernhard Las Vegas

First White House Guest

In "More Signals to the World" [Feb. 16], you referred to President Chun Doo Hwan of South Korea as the first ruling foreign visitor to the Reagan Administration. The first was Jamaica's Prime Minister Edward Seaga.

Susan J. Wong Miami

Prime Minister Seaga is head of government, not head of state.

Detroit vs. Japan

I did not break my back campaigning for the Republicans in order to see them propose quotas on imported automobiles [March 9]. Secretary of Transportation Drew Lewis should realize that any limits on auto imports will once again put us into the greedy hands of Detroit. The American auto buyer needs protection against Detroit--not Japan.

George G. Daniels Orlando, Fla.

It's How You Say It

You say about Jane Doe who has lost her memory [March 2] that "no regional accent distinguishes her speech." All speakers have regional characteristics. Does Jane pronounce a final and a pre-consonantal r, such as in cart or charge? If she does, she does not come from most of the Atlantic Coast. However, if she does not pronounce the final r, she is also not from the Midwest or Far West. Does she pronounce merry and marry alike or differently? If alike, she comes from the upper Midwest. Does she pronounce morning and mourning alike or differently? If differently, she is from the Atlantic Coast, the Southeast or Texas. I suspect that her speech may be either Floridian or Midwestern.

Archibald A. Hill, Professor Emeritus English and Linguistics University of Texas at Austin

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