Environment versus gene Dear Editor: In oomy opinion, Dr. Orlando's findings and opin- ions are erroncous, misguid- ed, and immoral. Your dead article on the front page of the Sunday, July 30 edition = quoted | | Orlando regarding Multiple Sclerosis (MIS) as follows. The genetic component (of MS) is probable 30% of the influence and the other 70% is inthe environment. [we can control chat 30% then there is no need to bother with the other.” Scientitic evidence has shown that genes are not the main cause of can The tat- est published reports diminish the role of genetics. (New England journal of Medicine refers to studies with 90,000 pairs of twins.) Recently a Univer ate > B.C. geneticist: warned ageressive commercialization of scientific research and the public’s fabe expectation that genetic research will provide a “silver bullet” for complex diseases are perhaps the mo biggest perils facing scientists in coming Vvears, It is indeed difficult: to understand bow anvene (much a medical doctor) could wish to ignore the 70% environmenal cause of dis- is mounting evi- —~MAIL Box-— Dear Editor: Last weekend family and FE were invel in-an incident which, without the help of some heroic individu. als, could have been poten: tially disastrous. A cruise up Indian Arm turned for the worse when an engine overheated and we were forced to abandon ship. Within minutes, aon boater had called in the : and some cottagers had kind- Iv allowed us to await help by dence that nutrition and htestyle can intercept genetics. We also know that since 1950) approximately 90,000 new chemical compounds have come into existence. These chemicals are being, absorbed by humans. Only a handful of these have ever been tested for their effect on humans. Let us direct our research and funds towards the envi- ronmental 70% component and thus m a meaningtul impact on knowledge that will alleviate those stricken with major degencrative diseases K.H. Losken North Vancouver losken@imag.net A North Shore volunteer rescue crew and the North ncouver fireboat quickly responded, Meanwhile, some fellow vacht club members had caught: wind of our Food stalls on Seawalk will add garbage Dear Editor: There I was, enjoying a vicarious saunter along Trevor Lautens’ Ambleside ing in one hand and a slopping Slurpee in rother, with the offshore breeze dancing the dis- carded sustenance containers along the seawalk, a virtual hotdog ov: path. I even pictured the addition of a kie stand to complete the bliss, and remind some of the Creme of Brighton end. On a We ee es oe i ee ee Imagine my surprise when on the very nest page I found North Van's Kathleen May (July 28, letter to the editor) com- pliining about the same splendid ideas ‘Trevor was proposing for West Van that she already has to enjoy on her side of the tracks, Some people are just never satis- fied. Denis Mason denmason@smartnet.com Trees are by far the greatest cause of power interruptions. Contact between trees and power lines can also create a severe danger. Over the next few months, we will be pruning trees in the V7L & V7M Postal Code areas of the North Shore. Trees are pruned using the best arboriculture (tree care) practices. Skilled workers employed by BC Hydro are trained in both electrical safety and tree care. Only correct and proper techniques are used to elinunate any safety hazard. For more information about our current work or other vegetation management practices please call your local Hydro office and ask to speak with the Coordinator of Vegetation Maintenance. YOURS m ais THE POWER U5 BChydro dilemma and came to our aid. We boarded their ship and were soon heading back to Deep Cove with our own ship sately in tow. Evervone involved fn our r Boulevard s Indian Arm boat rescuers thanked ciently and compassionately tended to our needs and we wish to extend our sincere thanks. Lisa Brasso West Vancouver ‘meadow was uncut garbage Dear Editor: Asa resident of the North Shore for over 20 years Twas appalled by the cvesore that council called a “meadow on Grand Boulevard. Yes, people are interested in wvironmentally friendly ideas,” but how council could translate that fine ideal into areas of unkempt weeds and grass on the historic Boulevard is beyond me. It is the very stuff that residents would put in their clear garbage bags for disposal. If council, wants to save money by leaving large tracts of public land uncut then at Bring this ad in for an ADDITIONAL ‘$2 DISCOUNT | At Fast Lane F hee don't need an hat’s part of the appointment. ‘ast Lane promise, which also includes our great. while-you- | wait service and convenient hours. For tires, brakes, tune-ups 1 and other maintenance, you can't H beat Fast | Lane. Go online. Print them, out And save money at all kinds of stores, services and restaurants | in your neighbourhood least be honest, say that’s what you're doing, and let the pub- lic process deal with it. Please - dont teat us like fools by serving up weeds and grass under a somewhat) romantic nane of “meadow” thinking | that will make it OK. In what sounds like the Pa clear direction [ laud Bill Granger and his staff for making a cor- rect decision and cleaning up the environment by removing what owas turning = the Boulevard into a dump. Bill O’Brien bobrien@uniserve.com North Vancouver includes: up to S liters of of olf fitter, chassis tubrication ; and 10 point inspection. Most makes and models.