Letters from the May 6, 2006, issue of Science News
By Science News
Same old grind
“Ancient Andean Maize Makers: Finds push back farming, trade in highland Peru” (SN: 3/4/06, p. 132) remarks on maize starch granules being “consistent with” stone grinding. The presence of lowland arrowroot on one tool is consistent with trade, but it is equally consistent with a wandering hunter grabbing a root in the midlands and bringing it home.
James Reichle
Quincy, Calif.
It’s my decision
“Do Over: New MS drug may be safe after all” (SN: 3/4/06, p. 131) contained a very disturbing comment: “Neurologist Annette Langer-Gould of Stanford University says that even the 1-in-1,000 risk of PML [leukemia] ‘seems to outweigh the benefits’ that natalizumab would provide many patients.” Having a genetic mutation for which there is no treatment or cure and having (and having had) friends with MS, I am very concerned that some entity would withhold a beneficial treatment because of an identified risk. First and foremost, the choice is that of the recipient, not the administrator. When the risks are high—e.g., greater than 50-50—then sufficient counseling should be made available to help the patient consider the quality of life versus the trade-offs.