Johnjoe McFadden (Our genes are doomed, February 5) is right to imply that social policy is a means by which we face up to the challenges of genetic engineering. Yet like so many who insist that genes outweigh environment, he reaches for solutions that are technologically determinist. He suggests that modern medicine and healthcare have not allowed natural selection to do its job. Yet to relate social policy to genetics in this manner risks the inference that the problem lies with "defective gene carriers". We are then on the road to Charles Murray's argument that certain social groups are defective carriers who must be weeded out.
The alternative to genetic determinism, technological fixes and "free market eugenics" lies in the creation of a regulatory framework that is shaped by as wide a debate as possible. This means distinguishing the acceptable from the unacceptable uses of engineering through a negotiation between scientific expertise and popular, rational opinion. The task is less to rid our bodies of faulty genes than to rid our societies of a simplistic genetics.
Dr Tony Fitzpatrick
School of sociology and social policy, University of Nottingham
Tony.Fitzpatrick@nottingham.ac.uk
Francis Galton, the father of eugenics, was a cousin of Darwin and incorporated the latter's theories in his own pseudo-scientific formula for humanity's improvement. Johnjoe McFadden's crude Darwinian, genetically determinist ideas have seeped out of the same poisoned well. He tries to sell genetic cleansing, as did the prewar eugenics movement, as little more than a question of a nation's health. It is a lot more.
As a prime target of reproductive genetic intervention, disabled people can testify to the links between genetics and eugenics. Such links pose dangers for everyone.
Dr Bill Albert
Chair, International Committee, British Council of Disabled People
w.albert@btinternet.com
I love scientists who never let facts get in the way of a good theory. Johnjoe McFadden starts from the premise that our susceptibility to modern degenerative diseases is caused by our genes. Just about every health advisory body in the universe, including the World Health Organisation, disagrees.
The modern killer diseases now running at epidemic proportions are not the fault of our genes but of our lifestyle. McFadden suffers from the same self-delusion that afflicts so many scientists - the idea that only they can save humankind. Have done with it, Johnjoe, and set about removing the genes that provide humans with the ability to inquire and the free will to control their own destinies then we will all be in your thrall - God help us!
Tony Warble
Viva (Vegetarians International Voice for Animals)
Johnjoe McFadden's explanation of our increasingly sickly state as a species sounds very sensible. But given our imperfect construction and innate (genetic) ability to screw up in so many ways, how could we possibly mimic a process perfected by nature over aeons? As were the dinosaurs, so are we: just another fleeting impression in time and space. Make the most of it.
Rod Warrington
Chester
rlw@care4free.net
McFadden highlights the basic problem of the NHS. The NHS has "cured" many diseases, so that the patients do not die, but they still need care and drugs, perhaps for life. So how can we maintain such a service?
Geoffrey Watson
Winchester
WatsonGeof@aol.com
