Letters: Mar. 10, 2003

"A Twist Of Fate," TIME'S account of James Watson and Francis Crick's discovery of the structure of DNA, was extensive and thorough [THE DNA REVOLUTION, Feb. 17]. I am studying biology in high school, and my textbook gives the impression that Watson and Crick completely deciphered the molecule in no time flat. Learning that they made mistakes at first, as everybody else does, reignited my interest in high school biology. MICHAEL YEE Huntington Beach, Calif.

Thanks for putting a human face on gene science and showing that it is not Frankenstein-like experimentation. In a country in which key decision makers rarely understand basic scientific concepts, it was heartening to think that your articles may perhaps educate the people who vote on legislation affecting scientific issues. NICK KNOWLTON Pittsburgh, Pa.

Unlocking the mystery of the DNA molecule opened the doors to understanding some but not all secrets of life. One of the remaining mysteries is how some scientists readily recognize the inherent complexity in the structure and function of DNA and RNA yet still believe all of life came about from chaos by mere chance. Though the probability of that happening is outrageously remote, we scientists who choose to believe in the God of Creation are frequently ridiculed. PHILLIP A. NICKEL, PH.D. Grants Pass, Ore.

"The Secret Of Life," Nancy Gibbs' thoughtful overview of how cracking the DNA code has totally changed our lives, raises the journalistic bar for all magazine writers. She made the miracle of gene science appealing to creationists, evolutionists, businessmen and homemakers. Her essay is as beautiful as the structure of the DNA molecule. DOUGLAS TAIT Beach Haven, N.J.

Re "Future Visions": As someone who has training in genetics and now works as a minister, I was amazed by the scientists' views on how genetics will have changed the world 50 years from now. Overeating without getting fat? Living for 150 years? How out of touch with reality these "visionaries" are! The poor of the world do not need a map of the genome; they need clean water, food and basic health care. The future your experts describe is one that will be available only to the rich and powerful. (THE REV.) DANIEL WOLPERT Crookston, Minn.

Reading your predictions reminded me of the line "If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans." Perhaps, to avoid hubris, we would do well to recall the words of Thomas a Kempis: "Man proposes, but God disposes." DAVID SWIFT Pawling, N.Y.

>> Though it's a challenge to illustrate the microscopic intricacies of the genetic code, some readers reminded us how much trickier it is to depict DNA's outward expression in the human form. "Is that Adam and Eve on the cover?" asked a Minnesotan. "Then those belly buttons have got to go." An "appalled" Missouri man agreed that the image showed too much; he declared it "pornographic." But in anticipation of such a reaction, a reader in El Salvador counseled, "To all those who would complain: the human body is beautiful and nothing to be ashamed of. Lighten up."

Shining Stars of Space