Letters

(3 of 4)

Arms and the Dems

The gun lobby may be on a winning streak, as you reported [NATION, May 26], but gun violence is an American public-health problem deserving strong preventive measures. It's time that our national leaders acknowledge and find a solution to this everyday form of domestic terrorism. We look to the government to protect us from many hazards of modern life. If our leaders don't want to deal with politically sensitive issues, they shouldn't seek office. Here's some news for the Democratic presidential candidates: National Rifle Association (N.R.A.) members won't vote for you, anyway. Your silence on gun-control issues won't change that. You risk losing this soccer mom's vote when you pander to the N.R.A.
LAUREL REDDEN
Salem, N.H.

Sorenstam's Great Example

I admire Annika Sorenstam for participating in a men's golf tournament [SPORT, May 26]. She is an elite athlete who is prepared to push herself to the limit of her abilities and beyond. Sorenstam is a great example for us all. As a guy, was I afraid of what her participation in a formerly all-male tournament would mean to me? Maybe a little. But that is for me to live with and learn from. The days of clear gender roles are long gone. That Sorenstam didn't make the finals means I have just a little bit less male angst to live with in the 21st century, but my respect for her as perhaps the best women's golfer ever has only increased. Go, Annika!
VINCENT PICKERING
Paris

Fear of Frankenplants?

In "Cures On The Cob" [SCIENCE, MAY 26], you reported on how genetically altered crops could yield powerful new drugs and how critics fear that unnaturally combined genes might contaminate the food supply. Despite their fears, we must not let manageable concerns derail the potential benefits of these new proteins. We are on the threshold of cures for such conditions as AIDS, Alzheimer's disease, arthritis, cancer, cystic fibrosis and other devastating illnesses. But we need to be able to produce affordable quantities of therapeutic agents sufficient to meet demand, at present a costly undertaking. The result is that drug manufacturers will probably invest only in products with broad appeal. Drugs for less frequently appearing diseases may never be produced, or their cost will keep many from acquiring them. This ethical dilemma could be addressed by mass-producing pharmaceutical proteins in crops that provide lots of protein. We must not overemphasize risks at the expense of substantial benefits.
DAVID A. FLEMING, M.D., DIRECTOR
CENTER FOR HEALTH ETHICS
SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI COLUMBIA Columbia, Mo.

Genetic engineering of plants can make food crops hardier, more resistant to molds and drought as well as to insect pests without the use of herbicides and pesticides. Food can arrive on our tables looking and tasting better, costing less and being relatively free of unwanted chemicals. Future generations will look back at our fear of genetic engineering in the same way that we regard the superstitions that people once held about eclipses.
TERRY BOYD
Skokie, Ill.

White House Confidential

The revelations of President Kennedy's serious health problems and countless sexual encounters [ESSAY, May 26] give new meaning to the title of Kenneth O'Donnell and David Power's 1972 worshipful book, Johnny, We Hardly Knew Ye.
PAUL PAIGE
Phoenix, Ariz.

Respect for Yoko

The new CD that remixes Yoko Ono's music, Walking on Thin Ice, has topped the dance-club play chart [MUSIC, May 26]. I'm ashamed to admit that, like many other Beatles fans, I hated Yoko until the day John Lennon was shot. It was only after his tragic death, upon seeing the film Imagine, that I realized just how deep and genuine their love for each other was. I don't think the world knew how to embrace true soul mates. John's love for Yoko was naked and raw, and we turned away out of ignorance. We were unhappy that John didn't fit the mold of what we thought his life should be, and we wrongly projected our anger at Yoko for interfering with our idolization of him. How petty we all were! Yet how very heartening to read that she is finally being recognized for the talent John always saw in her.
Congratulations, Yoko.
PATRICIA BECKER-SPELLMAN
Stevenson Ranch, Calif.