Sexual Effects of Pollution

“Sexual Confusion in the Wild” (Oct. 2) was one of the finest articles I have ever read on the environment. Informative and terrifying, it uncovered a great darkness that I feel dwells deep beneath what we humans perceive as reality. I wept when I read it.

I put it on the bulletin board at my workplace. There it remained for three days. I attached a note and my name asking for it to be returned in case it was judged inappropriate. Today I found it torn off the board and crushed into a ball in the trash. It was an angry and ugly statement. I was shocked by the violence of it and was reminded of swastikas painted on synagogues in the middle of the night.

After pondering the issue, trying to reason it out, it occurred to me that there are many in our world who do not want to know the truth about man’s destructive march across our magnificent planet. There are many who want to stay uninformed and complacent, hanging on to comfort and economic security no matter what the price.

This might be even more terrifying than the story behind Marla Cone’s article.

BRENDA SHERMAN McBRIDE

Woodland Hills

* In reply to “Pollution’s Effect on Sexual Development Fires Debate,” Oct. 3:

Before the average modern person of reproductive age freaks out, consider stress from such articles as a more probable cause. Profound problems such as low sperm counts, breast cancer and, most disturbing, “retard(ed) penis growth” show up in nature with overpopulation. Also consider the parents’ pot smoking, use of designer drugs, alcohol, casual sex and a Clinton-type diet.

In today’s world common sense, morality, political integrity, or lack of same, will be the hope or horror of the near future. Perhaps these scientists would do better to hold out mirrors to the population to show us where the real problems are.

WARREN ARNOLD

Malibu

* Will gender confusion be the key to ridding the world of pesticides?

When the agribusiness executives realize that pesticides result in reduced sperm counts and small penises in themselves and/or their progeny, I think we’ll find sharply reduced quantities of pesticides produced and distributed into our community.

RICHARD A. HEIN

Fullerton