LETTERS

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Charles Krauthammer missed the opportunity of a lifetime in his speculation about the potential of cloning [SPECIAL REPORT, March 10]. He implied that we might clone Einstein, Martin Luther King Jr. or even Thomas Jefferson. Perhaps we could use bits of dna that linger in their remains. We could raise the clones in structured isolation and see what they would do. If dna survives the decomposition of the human body, then we should examine the ultimate cloning possibility. Let's scrape the Shroud of Turin for whatever tiny bits of human matter may still cling to that cloth, clone the dna and find out if the Man of the Shroud was just some 14th century monk, as carbon dating apparently reveals, or if he really was the Son of God. Then perhaps we could see what Jesus Christ would do today. LARY S. LARSON Idaho Falls, Idaho

All of Krauthammer's examples of possible subjects for cloning are men. Why waste the resources? If we can clone the ewes, who needs the rams? ROBIN LEE HORVATH Camden, Maine

While cloning is definitely a big deal scientifically, it should not be a big deal ethically. Cloning is just another method of reproduction. All this talk about re-creating a Hitler or an Einstein is baloney. While genetic characteristics such as height, hair color and sexual orientation may mirror the original, the thoughts and ideas of a clone will not. They are unique to each person. One day we will look back and wonder what all the fuss was about. BILL STOSINE Iowa City, Iowa

Einstein, King, Jefferson, Salk, Chopin--go ahead, clone them all. Chances are that at least three would be placed in day care at six weeks of age, given mind-numbing doses of television and videos from toddlerhood through adolescence and educated in dumbed-down public schools with expectations and outcomes far lower than those of a few generations past. Our biological gestation period may be only nine months, but our spiritual, emotional and intellectual development lasts a lifetime. TOM KOWITZ Portland, Oregon

All that science could ever clone would be Einstein's hardware body, not his software soul. A clone of his mere body would be delightful to photographers and such, but the genius of his soul would shine in any body. DAVID MILLER Nevada City, California

WHY CLONE?

It's 11:30 a.m. I am sitting in my apartment waiting for a package to be delivered. The company told me I have to be here to sign for it, but it could be delivered anytime before 8 p.m. This is the best argument yet for cloning myself. THOMAS WALKER Chicago

Is it true that the Chicago Bulls are going to clone several Michael Jordans so that they can win the N.B.A. championship forever? WILFORD WARE CORBIN Franklin, North Carolina

Now all the Washington politicians can be cloned. One group can take care of the business they were elected to handle, and the other group can spend their time looking for things to charge the President with. And there will need to be an extra President too--so there will be someone to attend all the court sessions. CAROLYN VAN RIPER Albert Lea, Minnesota

THE ULTIMATE CHESS GAME