Letters: Apr. 24, 2000

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I was shocked to read a letter opposing the Human Genome Project that included the sincere hope that nobody would ever be able to read the DNA book [LETTERS, March 27]. Rejecting a project of such huge importance to the field of medicine is preposterous. I'm sure the millions around the world who suffer from a genetic defect would argue that this is probably the most important field of research for humanity right now. Everything has its price. When the genome project is completed, we will have to be careful that the results are not used for discriminatory practices. But to reject knowledge is the ultimate hallmark of the fool. KRISHAN KAPOOR Epsom Downs, England

VERDICT IN MEMPHIS

Re Jack E. White's commentary on investigations into the murder of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. [DIVIDING LINE, March 27]: as attorney for the King family (though not "hired," as White said, since I have received no fees for my 22-year effort to have the truth revealed about the assassination of King, my friend and colleague), I want to comment on the reference to the trial of Memphis cafe owner Loyd Jowers. White, who was never present at the trial, was dismissive of the verdict. However, a Memphis jury heard some 70 witnesses during the month-long trial and took one hour to decide that a conspiracy existed to assassinate Dr. King, which included Jowers, agents of the U.S. government and agents of the city of Memphis. It is ludicrous for TIME to second-guess this jury. And it is beyond contempt to criticize the victim's family, which at last has caused the truth to be brought out under oath in a court of law. WILLIAM F. PEPPER London

STRANGELY NECESSARY SKILLS

How sad that young African-American students need classes on how to avoid being misunderstood by the police [EDUCATION, April 3]. Here's an idea: have the cops take courses on youth culture so that they stop feeling threatened by a kid with loose pants or tattoos (or one driving a nice car, for that matter). I am white and have a 20-year-old son, and I can't imagine the stress of fearing that he might die because he reached for his wallet at the wrong time. KATE CAMPBELL Exton, Pa.

The minority community's distrust of police is ingrained in children by community culture as much as by actual experience. When I was a young Indianapolis police officer on a domestic-disturbance call in a housing project, I was approached by a toddler who looked up at me and reached to hold my hand. Before I could return the gesture, his aunt yelled, "Come here! You don't talk to cops!" All the community-relations programs in the world will not help those who do not want to change. LLOYD WALKER Indianapolis, Ind.

WHOOSH!

Your story on the smuggling of high-flow toilets into the U.S. from Canada [AMERICAN SCENE, April 3] made me wonder if we have reached the point where one man's old toilet is another man's treasure. I have a low-flow/high-irritation model, and I have gone to homes that are being torn down to try to purchase one of the trusty old high-flow jobs. Each time I have been beaten to the flush by someone on the same treasure hunt. I want the Federal Government out of my bathroom. HARRIS BLACKWOOD Gainesville, Ga.

Here's one cure for the low-flush problem: keep a bucket in the shower; the collected water is usually enough for one good flush. EDWARD J. CARLIN Philadelphia