Letters: Oct. 30, 2006

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.