Letters

A GRAIN OF HOPE--AND FEAR

The heroic efforts of biotechnologist Ingo Potrykus and his colleagues in developing beta-carotene-enhanced rice will save the lives of millions [SCIENCE, July 31]. Protesters who demand that this brilliantly humane enterprise be stopped should have their motives questioned. Their protest is nothing but the mindless hand waving of Luddites. Do they want the poor who live in Asia and elsewhere to starve? People must not succumb to the thinly veiled racism of so-called environmental activists. HOWARD R. OLSON Walnut Creek, Calif.

Genetically modifying plants to produce more food is a twofold folly. This untested and possibly risky procedure only masks the painful effects of an unsustainably large population. If genetic engineering of plants fails, it irreversibly contaminates current gene pools. If it succeeds, it will result in continued population growth in areas that have already exceeded their capacity. CAROLYN HOAGLAND Sewanee, Tenn.

You hinted that opposition to modified foods is based largely on ignorance. Why, then, do prominent scientists raise alarms? The issue is far larger than simply allowing or not allowing GM foods. It is about control of the world's seeds and the distribution of wealth. Nature has already blessed us with abundant plants that supply vitamin A. We don't need to mix the genes of daffodils and rice. PAT SIEBER Revelstoke, B.C.

If an error is to be made, let it be made for the sake of mercy. As for the protesters: Let them eat daffodils. BEVERLY KAI Waikiki, Hawaii

Just because we have the ability to alter genes does not give us the authority to do so. Are we so arrogant that we can play Mother Nature and expect nothing but good to come of it? WILL SACKS Toronto

Having just mowed my lawn for the second time in a week, I'd sure love to see a genetically engineered grass that grows only 2 in. tall! MICHELLE DOWELL Maumelle, Ark.

Most of our major food crops today are the result of genetic manipulation by ancient farmers. Over time, a small runt of a plant has been transformed into one that produces the large ears of corn that we enjoy today. If not for genetically modified crops, civilization would have had a lot harder time taking off. DAVID P. GRAF Chicago

Many agencies of the U.S. Government are working to oversee the new technology. American farmers accept the expertise of authorities, and will continue to produce what consumers want--healthy, abundant and affordable food. One point to remember: opponents have yet to come up with verifiable evidence that products enhanced through biotechnology are unsafe for humans or threaten the environment. BOB STALLMAN, PRESIDENT American Farm Bureau Federation Park Ridge, Ill.

ZAPPING NAPSTER

Napster, the music-sharing service on the Internet, has exposed me to new bands, many of which interested me enough to buy their CDs [BUSINESS, July 31]. I hope Metallica and rapster Dr. Dre [who are suing Napster] are happy; they both just lost this fan. I will never again purchase anything recorded by them. ANDREW WALLACE Carmel Valley, Calif.

I support the recording industry's fight to control the rights to its intellectual property by taking legal action against Napster. I absolutely disagree with those who say it is within their rights to "share" pirated music. The material that the recording organizations have copyrighted is their property, and no one else should be able to materially benefit from it for free. PATRICK A. DOWNES Boston

It's likely I've purchased fewer CDs as a result of using Napster. When I see Metallica and other bands speak proudly and boastfully of a lifestyle lived in gorgeous mansions, driving fast cars and steeped in drugs and alcohol, do I ever feel even a slight twinge of guilt for downloading music for free? No chance. RYAN M. TIERNEY Indianapolis, Ind.

DRUG-LAW OVERKILL?

I was disappointed by the way you trivialized the drug war as a key issue before the "shadow conventions" organized by Arianna Huffington [NATION, July 31]. Since 1980, while the number of violent offenders sent to prison has doubled, the number of drug offenders imprisoned has increased elevenfold. In 1998, 1.5 million people were arrested for drug offenses. More than half a million of those arrests were for marijuana possession. Plenty of people other than Huffington care about this issue. VINCENT SCHIRALDI, DIRECTOR Justice Policy Institute Washington

DOES MODERATION WORK?

In more than 50 years of dealing with problem drinkers (including myself), I have witnessed very, very few who were able to convert to happy moderate drinkers [BEHAVIOR, July 31]. The majority who tried to consume alcohol in moderation returned to problem drinking with disastrous results or found abstinence in recovery or 12-step programs. Why take a chance? Abstinence can bring fun and the joy of living. WILLIAM H. McGAUGH Riverside, Calif.

No matter how well intended they are, controlled-drinking programs like Moderation Management are dangerous and deluding for problem drinkers. This approach provides a welcome excuse to keep drinking and drinking. Controlled-drinking efforts ignore the physiological fact that alcohol races to the centers of the brain for judgment and control, quickly diminishing the ability and desire to control drinking. JAMES F. GARVIN, FOUNDER The Natural High Society Albuquerque, N.M.

Your story said groups that promote moderation in drinking have a "long history of failure" and included Rational Recovery among them. At no time when I was running the local Rational Recovery group was drinking in moderation recommended or endorsed. People who can drink moderately don't need a group to do so. Rational Recovery is a nonreligious program designed to help people stop drinking, drugging or engaging in other self-defeating behavior. MARCIA J. FREEDMAN Rational Recovery Marin San Rafael, Calif.

CORRECTION

Our story about new for-profit political websites [BUSINESS, Aug. 14] reported that the Vote.com site allows politicos to purchase e-mail lists and information from online surveys. This was incorrect. Vote.com does not sell either e-mail lists or user information from surveys. Vote.com's privacy policy protects its more than 1 million registered voters and has never been violated. TIME regrets the error.