Letters

Cracking the Genetic Code

With the mapping of the human genome by J. Craig Venter and Francis Collins [SCIENCE, July 3], man will be able to lengthen his life-span by eradicating many of the existing causes of disease and death. And this breakthrough raises the ethical question of how to care for those nonproductive individuals who will eventually overwhelm Social Security and private retirement plans. ERLAND R. NIELSEN Pahrump, Nev.

Kudos to everyone involved in the Human Genome Project for achieving a monumental milestone. The real winner of the race to map the genome is not Venter; his company, Celera Genomics; or Collins. The real winner is mankind. It is now up to us to use this valuable information responsibly. ADITYA PAI Toronto

The advancement and future exploitation of genetic sequencing should be carried out on a purely not-for-profit basis, so the discovery can benefit the largest number of people. It's a chance to prove we can overcome a most basic and destructive human flaw: greed. JIMMY YEW Singapore

One can only speculate about the infinite number of benefits that will result from the success of the Human Genome Project. But some illnesses are the result of how one lives, and science may be taking accountability away from people. I can't wait to see what new ailments will surface when people no longer have to worry about taking care of themselves because a doctor can remove a gene that might have caused heart disease or diabetes. Genetics are important, but let us not forget the role that environment plays. RALPH HARRISON West Chester, Pa.

Throughout the history of science, people like Venter have been ridiculed for conducting science in an unorthodox manner, only to be applauded years later for their great work. That such a bold achievement was reached in part by a maverick scientist is a fitting introduction to a new era of medicine. HAROUT MEKHJIAN JR. Alpine, N.J.

What's next after genetic decoding? Will we be able to control our feelings and desires? Will we control every aspect of our lives? The discovery will surely help scientists gain more insight into diseases such as cancer and AIDS, but will people use this to benefit others or simply to create the "perfect" person? SOPHIA MALIK Dallas

The genetic genie is out of the bottle, and like nuclear power, it can be used for good or evil. Soon it may be possible for doctors to manipulate genes and cure terrible illnesses, but the knowledge also may allow insurance companies, employers and others to make critical decisions based on information gleaned from an individual's genetic code. There is a frightening potential for both genetic bigotry and a form of eugenics that the Nazis only dreamed of. DANIEL JOHN SOBIESKI Chicago

Pledge Platitude

George W. Bush's campaign promise of the week as reported in your "Pledge Drive" feature [NOTEBOOK, July 3] was a reach. Bush's words, "To ensure the American dream touches every willing heart and that no child is left behind," are merely a platitude meant to reassure the masses that Bush is concerned about what is supposedly deep in the heart of all Americans. I am much more interested in Al Gore's practical pledge to stop the rise of gasoline prices and to help train workers in new-economy skills than in Bush's nebulous words. BETSY SARLES Cambridge, Mass.

Homosexuals in the Fold

Your report discussed whether gays should be ordained and the recognition of same-sex unions [RELIGION, July 3]. The issue of the full participation of gays in the church rests in the interpretation of Scripture. Many of us believe that Jesus Christ is the axis around which the whole Bible should be interpreted. Not everyone agrees. But 150 years ago, many church members believed that the Bible allowed or supported slavery. Today almost no one holds that position. The axis shifted. And on the homosexual issue, the axis is also shifting. JOHN REAGAN Southern Pines, N.C.

If Jesus were around today, would he be hanging out with gays? You bet. But Jesus would do more than just spend time with gay people. He would call them to embrace a new way of life. To embrace God's word means to turn away from what he tells us is wrong and to embrace what he tells us is right. For the homosexual, it means repenting of that lifestyle. Some readers may think gay people who claim to be Christians are victims of a stubborn, narrow-minded group of other Christians who refuse to embrace them. TIME should be more tolerant of the evangelical church and of biblical Christianity. JEFF AUSTEN Waterloo, Ont.

What's Up at the Pump?

In Europe, where gas prices are higher than in the U.S. [NATION, July 3], people deal with the situation by driving cars that are more fuel efficient. If people in America don't want to pay so much for gas, then they should quit buying gas-guzzling sport-utility vehicles and stop polluting the air. ADAM LEVINE Los Angeles

Only the oil companies and OPEC are in favor of oil profiteering. However, relatively low gasoline taxes and the resulting insatiable U.S. demand for oil have led to environmental destruction around the world as well as to urban sprawl and blighted city centers. ROLAND JAMES Phoenix, Ariz.

I have worked in the oil-refining industry for 15 years. Oil companies have done a poor job of convincing consumers of the need for increased gasoline prices. Additional cash has long been needed to address ever increasing regulation, the refurbishment of existing plants and the building of new facilities to meet a rising demand for gasoline. Consumers should know they are not guaranteed the right to low gasoline prices. KRISHNA SUBRAMANIAN Houston

Is Tiger the Greatest?

Johnny Miller hit the nail on the head in his piece praising golfer Tiger Woods [ESSAY, July 3]. But there's more: how a 24-year-old could become the youngest winner of golf's Grand Slam eludes words. Anyone who has not seen this man in action should switch on the TV and watch him play a full tournament. I'm a 20-year-old who is finally getting a chance to see a superstar in the making. I've become a fan and player of golf in no small part thanks to Tiger. The scary thing is, he's going to keep trying to get even better! RAJEEV RAO Richmond, B.C.

I have one thing to add about Woods: Will the U.S. Attorney General seek to have Tiger broken up for being a monopoly and creating unfair competition? RONALD HARRISON Atlanta

While I agree that Woods is one of the greatest athletes, we should never forget that beyond North America there are other worlds that have sports personalities as great as, if not greater than, Tiger Woods. Let's look beyond North America's borders. PETER MCCOLL Vancouver, B.C.

Coffee Talk

The excerpts from the interview in which federal prosecutor Robert Conrad fired questions at Al Gore about his role in the 1996 campaign-finance scandal [NATION, July 3] stated that guests who attended a fund raiser paid $50,000 each for coffee. And I used to think Starbucks was expensive! LILA GREEN Ann Arbor, Mich.