Letters

SMART GENES?

What price are we going to pay for giving this Viagra of the mind to our children [THE I.Q. GENE?, Sept. 13]? I'm not talking about the financial burden involved in genetically making kids smarter. What about the well-being of a child? Will children suddenly seem as if they are 40 when they are really 14? How about the mental stress that so many of today's geniuses complain of? Are we solving a problem for our children (was there one in the first place?), or are we only creating problems tenfold? EMIL VON MALTITZ, AGE 19 Buckhorn, Canada

Memory may be found to be affected by genes, but no gene has been found to have even a small causative relationship with normal "intelligence." Intelligence has never been successfully defined or measured, unless one refers to the highly specialized, arbitrary, narrowly defined and largely learned skills measured by American-designed IQ tests. (Where, for example, are skills in second-language acquisition or the physics of a thrown object, both essential skills in our history?) Why would genetic intelligence have evolved strictly along the lines of IQ tests? Since most human family lines have become literate only in this century, how can we argue that literate tests provide a fair measure of evolved skills? MARK NATHAN COHEN Distinguished Teaching Professor State University of New York Plattsburgh, N.Y.

Without even realizing it, we have begun case-by-casing what "improvements" we can ethically tolerate. This will eventually create a snowball effect, and we will find ourselves in a genetic twilight zone. The only way really to fix what we have done will be to continue fixing our genes. Here's hoping for wiser, not smarter. KELLY SCHROTER Middletown, R.I.

Let us hope our memory starts to fail soon and we forget all this talk about splicing a fetus' DNA to produce smart little human babies. If the technique of genetic engineering were implemented on humans, it would be the first step into Huxley's Brave New World. TURHAN SARWAR, AGE 14 Kenner, La.

Your article on the potential for genetically manipulating humans has left me wondering if scientists have been doing it for years. I am sure Australian swimmer Ian Thorpe is the product of splicing the tail gene of a humpback whale onto the foot gene of a human. PETER CHARTER Durban, South Africa

Brain chemistry does not explain intelligence any better than pencils explain literature. MICHEL CAPLAIN St. Hilaire du Touvet, France

Once these people we have engineered start intermarrying, how do we evaluate their offspring? At what point do the engineered genes start becoming dominant and insert themselves into the gene pool? At what point do we start seeing the health problems associated with heavy inbreeding? JAN DELUCIEN Reston, Va.

Take a lesson from astute dog breeders. We know that mentally and physically active dogs don't need ginkgo to improve their memory or enhance canine problem solving. An active environment (with lots of affection) plays the crucial role in fueling smart genes. We've taken our lessons from centuries of humans who squandered the wise genetic pluses found inside their babies, rearing them in barren environments. KATHRYN BRAUND Wildomar, Calif.

After years of attempting to "build a better mousetrap," those darn scientists have moved the goalposts and built a better mouse! GLENN JONES Bolton, England

While discussing the importance of memory, Michael Lemonick made the absurd statement that "there's really no such thing as the present." This contradicts all serious philosophical analysis--both Eastern and Western. In reality there is nothing but the present as far as human experience is concerned. The present is the intersection of our consciousness with the flow of time. Both past and future exist only as mental constructs in present consciousness, the past as memory and the future as imagination. ROBERT M. TAYLOR, ASSOC. PROFESSOR Clinical Neurology Ohio State University Columbus, Ohio

What next? Two scoops of "Smart Genes" in Kellogg's Raisin Bran? There is a thin line between medical achievements for neurological diseases and manipulating nature's way.

The great thinkers of our past and present have managed very well without the smart Doogie. Intelligence is nurtured through curiosity and creativity, not manipulation. Only shallow, insecure people will be interested in standing in line for the brain steroid. Smart genes? Non merci! MIGUEL ZAMARRIPA Montreal

Perhaps the scientists who used the name Doogie for their strain of supermouse might have more appropriately chosen the name Algernon, as a warning to themselves. Algernon is the mouse in Daniel Keyes' famous story Flowers for Algernon, and the improvement in its skills is short lived, as is the improvement in the skills of the human experimented on in the tale. FRED CRAWFORD Ellon, Scotland

UP THE LADDER?

Stephen Jay Gould's article on smart genes [THE I.Q. GENE?, Sept. 13] was informative and clarifying, but when did he make the memory association between "a bee's buzz and the pain of its bite"? Or are American bees just that bit further up the dental evolutionary scale than our local species? AMANDA STILTZ Cardiff, Wales

SAVAGERY IN SIERRA LEONE

I just finished reading "War Wounds," and am appalled by the maiming of these two innocent civilians in the bloody civil war in Sierra Leone [WORLD, Sept. 13]. As a young boy from India, I lived in Nigeria, where my father was a school principal in the early '80s. Nigeria and Sierra Leone were such peaceful countries, and their citizens were so lovely in nature--happy, God-fearing people with a smile and a greeting for everyone. What has happened to this continent? It has lost all its civility and is leaving behind a trail of brutality and sadness everywhere, be it Rwanda, Congo or Sierra Leone. I pray to God to bring back those days to Africa, which still has so much culture to share with this world. Let saner people look in and restore the continent. DEVINDER PUNJWARIA Toronto

What's going on? Is the world being seized by absolute madness? How many more limbs have to be chopped off? Please, do something! RICARDO GONZALEZ Mexico City

PLEBISCITE, THEN DISASTER

It shocks me that in response to a question regarding U.S. intervention in East Timor [WORLD, Sept. 13], Defense Secretary William Cohen had the nerve to proclaim that "the U.S. cannot be and should not be viewed as the policeman of the world" and that the new hot spot is not in the "vital interest" of the U.S. This from the man who only months ago was advancing the Clinton policy that we all had a moral obligation to help the Kosovar Albanians against the oppressive Serbian regime. Perhaps U.S. motivations were not so humanitarian as claimed. ROBERT C. MULLINS Geneva

There is little hope for the future of an international community that says to a people, "Vote!," then a few days later sits back while the people are slaughtered because of the poll's result. JOAO CORREIA DE MAGALHAES Carnaxide, Portugal

If the international community lets the East Timorese people down, it will be formally throwing democracy into the garbage can. If respect for democracy goes down the drain, so will a stable political evolution in the region and a promising economic one. Remember, this is happening under the auspices of the international community. Armed intervention is not the only option. Economic sanctions do not kill soldiers and do not require permission from Indonesian officials. Furthermore, I bet no political force in Indonesia is willing to have sanctions imposed. PEDRO HOMEM DE GOUVEIA Lisbon

After Rwanda and Kosovo, another dark page of modern history is being written in East Timor by the Indonesian army. It's a shame the international community did not react faster in condemning Indonesia and preventing the genocide, which has been ongoing since the mid-'70s in East Timor. Above all political and economic considerations, the international community should never forget that the brave people of East Timor are struggling (and dying) for something that is so dear to all of us: freedom. MIGUEL LUCAS Lisbon

DEMOCRACY'S KINGS

Congratulations to Charles Krauthammer on his serious and funny exposition of the dynastic impulse in democracies [ESSAY, Sept. 13].

Not only Presidents are favored here: the offspring of government heads are routinely elected as governors or designated as ministers. The dynastic preference may be due to brand-name mentality as well as political connections and debts to be collected. Sometimes we cannot rule out a certain merit derived from superior education: they were able to attend the best schools. We also have a saying: Mejor un mal conocido que un bien por conocer (Better a known evil than an unknown good). ALBERTO GIBBS San Antonio de los Altos, Venezuela

PRINCE EDWARD IN TINSELTOWN

Prince Edward's fatuous outburst must be the ultimate example of "biting the hand that feeds you" [PEOPLE, Sept. 13]. I would be truly happy to see him become so successful that he could do without the $255,000 of taxpayers' money handed over to him every year for the few public duties he carries out. Edward and the rest of his dysfunctional brood are in no position to criticize Britain. They are overprivileged, overpampered, overpaid and, very unfortunately for us, over here.

It is a certainty that without his royal connections, the Earl of Wessex would have a hard time making a living. He is the archetypical example of what the Australians refer to as a whingeing pom. ROBERT READMAN Boscombe, England

RISKING THE EXTREME

There are people who risk their own life or income, those who undertake risk because it's their job (military pilots, firemen) and those who take part in extreme behavior because it's fun and they like the challenge [ADVENTURE, Sept. 6].

The third category of risk takers ought to be encouraged to switch to less dangerous pursuits unless they are single and have no children, lovers or friends. The often heard statement "It's my life, and I'll do whatever I want with it" simply does not apply to those who do not conform to the above requirements. ALFONSO M. COLLA Rome

WHAT RAPPERS CELEBRATE

S.C. Gwynne's article on the rap singers who moved into an exclusive gated community in Louisiana [AMERICAN SCENE, Aug. 30] has prompted me to write. I work with Johannesburg's street children. I talk to them about their lives and how rap music relates to the young people on the streets. I do not believe that rappers' recordings "celebrate gunfights, misogyny and the crack trade," as Gwynne wrote. They are merely drawing our attention to ghetto life and the ugly truth of it. In the ghetto you have to be tough or die. I know from being with these people that they are just as affectionate and frightened as everybody else. SAFFRON BAGGALLAY Johannesburg

A CHANCE TO BE PRIME MINISTER

Re the turmoil in Russia [WORLD, Aug. 23]: After the fall of communism, the country is gradually heading toward true democracy. But at the rate at which Prime Ministers are being replaced, it looks as if every Russian will be given a chance to hold the office. JOHN JEYARAJ Coonoor, India

THE CLINTON TEAM

Those Clintons are a team! First Bill grants clemency to violent criminals on the condition they won't be violent anymore, thereby guaranteeing Hillary New York's Hispanic vote [NATION, Sept. 13]. Then Hillary denounces hubby's move, posturing as a patriot with feet planted firmly on high moral ground, thus getting the rest of the votes. The wimp Republicans don't stand a chance against these professional con people. JIMMY REED Oxford, Miss.

Beware, New York! A vote for Hillary is a vote for the downfall of the American Empire. Let's put Bill and Hillary behind us and go forward. ED TAKACS Rosedale, Md.

LISTEN TO ROCK

There was a time when I viewed Chris Rock with disgust. I could not find the humor in any of his antics. However, I finally settled down to watch this young genius at work [SHOW BUSINESS, Sept. 13]. He makes me laugh (to the point of hysterics) but also touches on subject matter that is highly political. Only he could have invited anti-affirmative action hero Ward Connerly on his TV show to tell him why we need affirmative action more than ever. When Chris Rock makes a joke, we should all listen. No one today can tell it the way he does! LINDA J. ROBERTSON Oakland, Calif.

THE MEGAPLEX EXPERIENCE

I've worked in the motion-picture industry for 16 years, but I can't go to the movies anymore [BUSINESS, Sept. 13]. It's not just that the product is mostly crap and the price of tickets ridiculous. It's that the experience of actually being in a movie theater is so unpleasant. I no longer want to sit with the popcorn eaters and ice shakers and those who feel compelled to address the screen--not even if it costs 5[cents] to get in. Hollywood is slitting its own throat, and so is the National Association of Theater Owners. SHARON HAGEN Venice, Calif.

ALTERNATIVE FLIGHT ROUTE

Your story "Rent-A-Jet Cachet" [BUSINESS, Sept. 13] missed the bigger picture in the business of renting jets. While fractional aircraft ownership is attractive to people and companies that are willing to invest millions of dollars to own a "share" of a plane, many people don't want to have their money tied up in such a costly asset and don't fly enough to justify the expenditure. For most people,"on-demand aircraft charter" is far cheaper than fractional ownership, especially if they fly fewer than 20 times a year. Aircraft charter varies in cost from $40 to $400 a seat per hour. Charter operators and pilots must meet more stringent FAA safety standards than fractionals--and usually an on-demand charter can be arranged in much less time. JAMES K. COYNE, PRESIDENT National Air Transportation Association Alexandria, Va.

WHAT'S FOR DINNER?

After reading your article on genetically modified food, I rented a Rototiller and turned my backyard into a garden [BUSINESS, Sept. 13]. We wonder at the increases in cancer, birth defects, mental illness. And yet we slap 100% tariffs on the E.U. as a backlash for its being fussy about accepting food with firefly genes and zucchini viruses. Maybe we should listen to countries that have been around a thousand years longer than our tyronic republic. As for me, I think I'll have a glass of water for dinner. On second thought, I'll fast. JOSEPH BYRD Holland, Mich.

You accurately depict the unfortunate agitation surrounding genetically modified foods. This tumult could be avoided if the public heard full and accurate discussion of the science supporting such foods. The Environmental Protection Agency, the Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Agriculture thoroughly review a full battery of studies before any biotech crop can be approved. A vast body of independent research confirms safety. As the co-director of the Food Allergy Research and Resource Program at the University of Nebraska, I feel comfortable eating any of the biotechnology products on shelves today. SUSAN HEFLE Lincoln, Neb.

A FUTURE OF FAST FINGERS

By "fittest," Darwin did not necessarily mean the strong. He meant the organism that leaves the most progeny [PALEONTOLOGY, Aug. 23]. For example, in our fast-frame media presentation of information, we are already selecting individuals who are better at clicking mouses. In a brave new world, only geeks with fast fingers will get to work at Microsoft and make mucho bucks and be millionaires, so they can impress Puget Sound bambinas, mate and have geeky bambinos with faster and longer fingers. Where have all the strong men gone? Long time passing... GEORGE CONESA Bellingham, Wash.

INNOCENCE PROJECTS

What you failed to mention about Barry Scheck [NATION, Sept. 13] is that this is the same Barry Scheck who convincingly argued in the O.J. Simpson trial that DNA samples can be contaminated and made useless (or at least open to "reasonable doubt") as scientific evidence in a criminal trial. Through his own arguments, we are left with two possible conclusions: either Scheck is freeing potentially guilty people through the Innocence Project, or he successfully defended a double murderer he knew to be guilty. I don't know whether to laud this man or deplore him. JEFFREY M. LLEWELLYN Denver

Barry Scheck and Peter Neufeld, through their Innocence Project, are working to free the wrongly imprisoned, and I am disturbed that "even many prosecutors" concede that this is an important function. Are the other prosecutors more interested in convictions than in justice?

The Innocence Project's positive proof of the fallibility of the criminal-justice system argues for the abolition of capital punishment. The unfortunate innocents who pay this ultimate penalty cannot benefit from scientific advances and good work by organizations like the Innocence Project. Tragically, they will never have justice. MARILYN W. HAAKER Pacific Palisades, Calif.

After reading that DNA testing is freeing people who were wrongly convicted, I wonder whether anyone worries about defendants who were wrongly convicted using DNA testing. From 1989 to 1993, here in Oklahoma, DNA evidence was the only murder-trial evidence implicating a Native American defendant from my family. The initial defense included reports of flagrant mishandling of DNA evidence, but this was ignored. Only after three trials and with a court-appointed defense DNA expert was my family member acquitted. RUSSELL L. BATES Anadarko, Okla.