Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

On racism

At a time when anything that even hints at racism is splashed all over the media, it is shocking to know that a scientist and Nobel Laureate of James Watson’s calibre has gone to the extreme of racism by saying that black people have a lower level of intelligence than whites (“Would Watson be different if he were black?” Oct. 30).

That Professor Watson was born a white and a man does not give him the right to make disparaging remarks about black people and women. He has revealed his prejudice against a group of people. There are numerous instances to prove that people perform better when their socio-economic conditions improve. Scientific studies corroborate this. Prof. Watson’s remark is a shame on the scientific world.

Amritha Leela Koshy,

Coimbatore

The article has issued a timely warning against the wrong application of the principles of genetics. Any attempt at reviving racism or casteism should be nipped in the bud.

When the definition of ‘intelligence’ itself is undergoing change, modern geneticists would do well to be wiser in dealing with humans.

G. Swaminathan,

Coimbatore

The article is generally acceptable. But what was the need to bring in the Brahmin, who is on the run, who allegedly declares proudly that he is Aryan? If ‘Aryan’ was a race, it must have consisted of all the varnas, not just the Brahmins.

R. Narasimhan,

Chennai

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