Sir, - Your feature "Flashes of brilliance that change it all" (Science Today, January 4th) reminds us that the problem isn't science and technology, which has brought us a standard of living far higher than any we have ever known in the past. (I for one prefer a world without smallpox and with electric light.) The real threat comes from extreme environmentalists, some of whom want to return us to the Dark Ages, and from racists and bigots, who are quick to misuse the science and technology they otherwise condemn if it helps them achieve their insane dreams.
What is needed is to educate people in science and technology, so they can both appreciate how much it does for us, and how false and irrational is the opposition to it. - Yours, etc., Kevin J. Dodd,
Ballydoogan, Sligo.