Thank you, NEWSWEEK, for your Special Report on medicine and technology (“Fixing Your Brain,” The Next Frontiers, June 24). I was intrigued by the technological advances that now allow medical practitioners to inspect and in some cases repair malfunctioning parts of the nervous system. Your article “The Disappearing Mind,” which outlines the neurological process that leads to the formation of Alzheimer’s, was of particular interest to me. As a young adult I never gave the subject much thought, since the people close to me had not reached a time in their lives when the disease posed a threat. As I grow older, Alzheimer’s takes on new significance, and especially concerns me in relation to my grandparents. Thus, it is encouraging to know that with new imaging technology we can diagnose Alzheimer’s in its early stages, treat and, perhaps, ultimately stop its progression. Jennifer L. Krychowecky New York, N.Y.
I read with some dismay your Special Report on “The Next Frontiers” about the wonders of present and future medicine. Yes, research is the path to medical advances. However, as a family-practice physician in a rural area of Maine, I see that in much of the country and most of the world, the frontier in medicine does not involve seductive high-tech procedures and their decreasing margins of return. The true frontier lies in the less flashy territory where inadequate health care exists for millions in our country, and for billions around the world. Let’s focus less media attention on high-end technology and marginally advanced pharmaceuticals. Let’s focus our dialogue and resources on ways of getting essential medical care to the millions who currently are without. Philip Elkin, M.D. Blue Hill, Maine
As a survivor of congenital hydrocephalus (water on the brain), I was intrigued by your cover package, because like some of the people you profiled, I was also saved by revolutionary technology. I was among the first generation of children to receive a shunt, a system that was developed to drain fluid away from my brain and prevent further damage. In 1993, during an especially bad episode that left me homebound, I entered a clinical trial for a programmable valve. This allowed my shunt problems to be fixed in my doctor’s office with a quick and simple procedure that meant avoiding the regular surgeries that are associated with hydrocephalus. I’m happy to say that I now live a full life with a husband and a challenging career, and have been hospitalized only once for shunt failure since 1994. Would I do a clinical trial again? Most definitely, if it gave me my life back. Susan Tobiason New York, N.Y.
High technology may bring wonderful advances to patient care, but we registered nurses are the only health-care professionals who stay with hospital patients seven days a week, 24 hours a day. Until medical technology can develop the “drive through” technique, this will be the case. All the technology in the world can’t replace what nurses bring to the patient. John F. Dixon, R.N., M.S.N. Dallas, Texas
I was surprised to find no mention of neuro-feedback in your article “Healthy Shocks to the Head.” Non-invasive, relatively inexpensive and proving to be effective with a long list of central nervous-system disorders, this procedure should be given an opportunity to demonstrate its effectiveness before more invasive procedures are tried. It’s too bad the medical community is so enamored with drugs and surgery. Ed Langham Saginaw, Mich.
Another Religion Faces Scandal Thank you for your coverage of the sex-abuse scandal taking place within the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society (“Witness to Shame,” June 24). I have been an active Jehovah’s Wit-ness for 30 years. I have suffered the overbearing control of the elders for many years. While I still believe in the theology, I seriously question the God-anointed authority of the ones in power now. This needs to be exposed so that members are protected. Loris Matheny Tampa, Fla.
Examining Business Behavior Right on, Allan Sloan (“The Jury’s In: Greed Isn’t Good,” June 24)! I have long thought that no economic system, certainly not capitalism, can function successfully without the moderating effects of virtuous, ethical behavior on the part of the key players. That said, I’m afraid we have yet to widely acknowledge that such behavior can never be reliably coerced by endless rounds of civil regulation. In a free society there will always be loopholes to be identified and exploited by those with selfish, greedy attitudes. Richard Cioffari Westerville, Ohio
Boiling Is Bad Enough I don’t know what’s worse: that people are microwaving live lobsters in pursuit of culinary happiness or NEWSWEEK’s lighthearted description of this activity, complete with “how to” tips (“Hey, It’s Hot in Here,” Tip Sheet, June 24). It is bad enough to boil lobsters alive–must we now prolong their demise? Should we microwave other creatures as well if it’s tastier to do so? I’m not a vegetarian, but I strongly believe that the consumption of animal-based products should not be protractedly and unnecessarily cruel. Laura Werber Castaneda Santa Monica, Calif.
A Repentant Catholic Church The repairing of the Roman Catholic Church is hardly finished (“Day of Atonement,” June 24). You report that it was with “great sorrow and profound regret” to the victims that 300 bishops decided to assign criminal priests to the equivalent of desk jobs. But parishioners, devoted clergy and non-Catholics can all agree that the shepherd who turns on his flock does not get to keep his job, whether forgiven by his church or not. And the larger issue remains: those who protected the ones who preyed must make amends, and not merely with words. Allowing a known pedophile or abuser to continue is more than criminal; it is evil. Let the bishops hand out all the forgiveness they want, but there is no honorable course but for these false guardians of faith to resign. Henry L. Riggs Menlo Park, Calif.
It’s hard to believe that some bishops are still against zero tolerance. This policy disallows potential cover-ups and ensures that predator priests will be excused from their duties and be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. The conservative theological view that “once a man is ordained, he is forever a priest–even if he commits the worst of sins” is inexcusable and irresponsible. Predator priests cannot be tolerated. Otherwise, how can the Catholic Church remain a holy institution? Nick Gatsoulis Astoria, N.Y.
Corrections The graphic “School Ties,” which accompanied the article “The Group” (July 1), should have identified Donna Shalala as the president of the University of Miami, not Miami University, which is in Oxford, Ohio. We also inadvertently misspelled the name of Spelman College.
In a photo caption in “The eBay Way of Life” (June 17), we misspelled Loren Collett’s name. We regret the errors.
