Letters

Similar yet So Different

New findings reveal the subtle genetic differences between chimps and humans, the alternate wiring that enables us to speak, reason, compose symphonies and cure diseases. Readers concluded that pinpointing a difference in genomes falls short of explaining the mystery of what it is to be human

After reading "What Makes Us Different?" [Oct. 9], I was struck by the idea that the blueprint for the great achievements of humanity may be encoded in the nucleotides of our DNA. But is it possible that the source of human creativity is simply beyond our comprehension? When I marvel at a Mozart adagio or Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling, I simply cannot grasp how each artist accomplished what he did. Human genius amazes because it is a mystery. If science could explain how genius came to be, the wonder would be gone.

NATHANIEL M. CAMPBELL Chestnut Hill, Mass.

So researchers claim that the genomes of apes and humans are about 99% the same. What about the remaining 1%? If you have ever tried to download a computer program and got only 99% completion, you know that unless you get the final 1%, you will have nothing. That 1% of DNA makes all the difference. The complexity of the human genome exceeds our scientific understanding.

MIKE MADDEN Culver City, Calif.

"What Makes Us Different?" We're made in the image of God; chimpanzees are not. In understanding the genome, scientists can neither add to nor take away from this truth. Spiritual realities are not the province of the natural sciences. What is truly different between human beings and even our closest cousins in the animal kingdom is the ability to reason. The great apes are not reasoning creatures, which doesn't mean they are unable to think in their way. They just aren't able to sit around and pose questions like, What makes us different?

CHARLES LEOPARDO Santa Monica, Calif.

Your cover story provided an excellent discussion of the remarkable genetic similarity of humans and great apes. It should come as no surprise to anyone that chimps and gorillas share our ability to communicate, our need for social bonding and our capacity to feel joy and sadness. What should also be apparent is that these intelligent, sensitive creatures deserve to be treated as such and not taken at birth from their parents, kept confined in isolation their whole lives and used for painful experiments.

MARGE PEPPERCORN Sudbury, Mass.

Let's not forget that the slim 1% difference between humans and chimps that gave us Mozart, Einstein and Socrates is also responsible for serial killers, totalitarian despots and greasy-palmed politicians.

DARIN KOURAJIAN Locust Grove, Ga.

I eagerly read the cover story to learn what scientists have discovered about what makes humans different from chimpanzees. Alas, the question was not answered. Our genomes are only 1.23% different, but humans can speak, write, sing, dance, reason, hope and love. So what's the difference? The answer is the divine spark from God, who designed us to be different.

DAVID R. ANDERSON St. Louis, Mo.

What kind of creatures will our evolutionary betters be? Will we share 99% of our DNA with them? How long will it take until humans are outfoxed and new beings take over? Surely we are not the end of the evolutionary line.

GIGI KING Oro Valley, Ariz.

Compromised Standards

I am ashamed of our Congress for adopting legislation that allows coerced testimony to be used as evidence in trials of terrorism suspects [Oct. 9]. President George W. Bush can sugarcoat the inhumane methods of interrogation all he wants, but there are moral standards that we Americans uphold. If the President is really a Christian, I don't understand how he can request such a bill and use political pressure to force it through Congress over the objections of moral and knowledgeable opponents. We suffered a great loss of life and property on 9/11, but the attackers damage us far more by inciting us to compromise our standards to match theirs. The bill is not an act of courage, strength and resolve. It is an act of fear and desperation.

CRAIG LITTLEFIELD Tucson, Ariz.

Terrorists have no rights to habeas corpus or protections under the Geneva Conventions. They are not members of opposing armies; they are people who have no respect for human life. The courts need to stay out of the war on terrorism and let President Bush do the job he was elected to do. If the people of the U.S. want terrorism to thrive and terrorists to have the same rights as our soldiers, let them make that decision when they vote for the next President.

LORI B. GODINES El Paso, Texas

Lost Youth, Lasting Legacy

"Death Comes Calling For The Class of 9/11" [Oct. 9], on the death in Iraq of U.S. Army 2nd Lieut. Emily Perez, 23, was a touching story of an exceptional West Point graduate who accomplished much in her short lifetime. Seeing the picture of her so proud in uniform and reading the praise heaped upon her by fellow cadets, I grasped the tragedy of her passing. I would like her parents to know they are not alone in their mourning. I only hope this war is worth the sacrifices young people like Perez are making.

JOE SALLEROLI Franklin Lakes, N.J.

This story explained more to my wife about who I am than did my 30 years of trying. Service members have faith in the core values of the military: duty, loyalty, honor, selflessness and courage. That faith sustains them as they answer the call to do what must be done. They also have faith that no casualties are meaningless, wasted or ignored. Perez's sacrifice and commitment did not go unnoticed by her comrades-in-arms.

KEVIN M. MCNABB LIEUT. COLONEL, U.S. ARMY BROOKE ARMY MEDICAL CENTER Fort Sam Houston, Texas

Tears welled up in my eyes before I could finish reading about Perez. Where do we get such dedicated young people to serve us without reservation? A life so special should not have ended in a far-off land away from family and friends. From the beginning of this tragic war, I have maintained that we had no right to be in Iraq. There is nothing there to warrant the sacrifice of our finest young people. Not oil, not the Iraqis and not the unlikely hope of spreading democracy. It is time to bring our finest home.

WALT WIETGREFE Ithaca, N.Y.

Blind Faith

Re "When Seeing Is Not Believing" [Oct. 9]: Alarmed by the growing strength of fundamentalist religions, Andrew Sullivan suggested that "moderate," "tolerant" and "humble" believers hold the key to religious peace and sensible politics. Nonsense. When in history has religion, however moderate, prevented or eliminated the ignorance and abuses of zealotry? Even a liberalized interpretation of the Bible, Koran or Talmud offers no guidance on human rights, constitutional guarantees, parliamentary democracy or international law. Those conventions and compacts had to be worked out by painstakingly applying unaided reason to the messy affairs of the real world. If we are to survive the current wave of reactionary fundamentalism, rational humanism once again will have to lead the way.

CHARLES MARXER White Rock, B.C.

Sullivan said that total, literal belief in ancient Scriptures of all kinds is a bad thing and that partial, selective belief is not so bad. Can we go one step further and assume that no belief at all would be best?

ANDREW STAUDZS Winnipeg, Man.

The G.O.P. and the Green Stuff

"The G.O.P.'s Secret Weapon" [OCT. 9] described the Republicans' advantages over the Democrats in the upcoming congressional races: more money and a formidable ground game to turn out voters. But even more reassuring for G.O.P. leaders is knowing that they, as members of the party in power, have gerrymandered electoral districts; booby-trapped election processes in such states as Ohio and Florida; and widely mandated unreliable, unsecure and unverifiable voting equipment. TIME should invite international judges and journalists to monitor the elections and report their findings.

ROBERT TRAVIS San Antonio, Texas

I couldn't help noticing that each of the $100 bills illustrating "The G.O.P.'s Secret Weapon" has the same serial number. What are you trying to tell us? That the Republican Party platform in November is counterfeit?

BOB FASHINGBAUER Chicago

Stick Figures

Despite the cheeky allusion to underpants in the headline "I See London, I See France ..." [Oct. 9], what I immediately noticed in the pictures of the models sporting the new micro-minidresses were the painful grimaces on all their faces. Were they unhappy with the ridiculously short hemlines? Or were their bony legs barely strong enough to carry their torsos?

NICK LAVECCHIA Parker, Texas