19852

This article concerning schizophrenia in Palau reported a high incidence of the disorder among first- and second-generation immigrants to the West from developing countries. Could the phenomenon of relatively successful immigrants to the West (or their children) being drawn into acts of terrorism be a manifestation of schizophrenia?

Robert E. Hubbard
Winter Haven, Fla.

Schizophrenia isn’t generally associated with violent behavior. —B. Bower I would expect a society with expert seafaring skills to remove frightening individuals to their own island, much as England sent convicts off to Australia. The effect would be a greatly increased concentration of inherited emotional illnesses, regardless of the stress.

Ben Northrup
Lee, Mass.