Letters

Call for caution
“Bar codes may check out next” (SN: 4/24/10, p. 14) describes a new ink that would enable a full grocery cart to be quickly checked out electronically. Hurrah? Undoubtedly the amount of radio frequency per package would be minimal. However, if much of our food were handled that way, and people used it for years, the exposure might be significant. What would be the effect on our health and the environment?
We thought plastics were wonderful; they are, but are now in our blood and mothers’ milk. Flame retardants have their own litany of problems, including, as you note, appearing in falcon eggs (SN: 4/24/10, p. 12). Cell phones are fabulous, but what are they doing to children’s brains? How many wonderful inventions, thoughtlessly applied, have “unintended consequences”? Before this new ink is used, surely some cautious research is warranted.
Lesley Alexander, Santa Barbara, Calif.

More correct correction
In case 87 readers haven’t already pointed it out, the “Correction” in the May 8 issue (SN: 5/8/10, p. 32) has another mistake: “… Jupiter’s largest moon, Io.” Of course, Ganymede is Jupiter’s largest moon, and Callisto is larger than Io as well.
K.A. Boriskin, Bellingham, Mass.

The reader is correct: Io is the third largest Jovian moon. —Ron Cowen

Twins not immune to differences
Regarding the article “Identical twins differ at gut level” (SN: 4/24/10, p. 9): It seems that many researchers fail to take into account the unique genetics of the acquired immune system when studying identical twins. Although each identical twin inherits the same germ line DNA, both B and T cells not only rearrange that DNA but also add (and delete) non-genome encoded nucleotides to genes to make antibodies or T cell receptors, independently of antigen exposure. Have the authors considered the possibility of immune-driven variations in gut microbe diversity in identical twins?
Jennifer L. Bankers-Fulbright, Minneapolis, Minn.