I believe that gambling greed does change brain chemistry ["The Worst of All Bets"]. And so does the rush of other types of greed. We all know the rush. How about people in California who are gambling on real estate? Why not test compulsive shoppers? Everything is going to have a brain chemistry response. Psychiatrists can find a market for any kind of emotional addiction. Is nothing the responsibility of an individual any more?
JERRY BETTS
Garland, Texas
Abortion Advice
"The Supremes Take On Abortion--Again" [The Week, June 6] was both disturbing and disappointing. Rhetoric like "performing an abortion on an underage woman" could be replaced with the more accurate term minor. In addition, Jennifer Dalven of the American Civil Liberties Union was quoted about abortion rights but no alternative viewpoint was given. As a physical therapist, I know that generally minors are required by law to have parental or guardian consent before undergoing a surgery or even noninvasive physical therapy treatments. Is abortion less risky than physical therapy?
LEAH PATTON
Murray, Ky.
Rescue at Sea
I was shocked to read Rep. Don Young's comment questioning why some "snot-nosed lieutenant" should be able to inspect a boat to determine whether or not it is safe to operate ["Dangers of the Deep," May 23]. The high degree of danger involved in conducting rescue-at-sea operations gives the "snot- nosed" lieutenant all the right he or she needs. While the fate suffered by the boat Big Valley was indeed tragic, had the captain followed the Coast Guard's crab pot carrying limit, and had the vessel been inspected, perhaps none of the crew would have died. Representative Young should appreciate the number of his fellow citizens whose lives are saved by the selfless professionals who serve in the U.S. Coast Guard and how many more might be saved if Coast Guard inspections were mandatory.
BRANDON DOMINGUEZ
Auburn, Wash.
Early Cancer Detection
Thank you so much for writing the article on the difficulty and need for a reliable early-detection test for ovarian cancer ["Deadly Perfectionism?" May 30]. It has been very frustrating for the ovarian cancer community of survivors to get its hopes up in expecting an early-detection test to be approved, only to find out that it is years away from becoming available. I am one of the very few lucky survivors of advanced ovarian cancer. I was diagnosed when I was 41 years old in 1987. I had two major surgeries, chemotherapy, and a recurrence in 1993, but I am doing well without having any treatment since 1994. I wish there were more happy endings like mine. I try to give hope, because I needed hope when I was in treatment.
HELEN PALMQUIST
Lincolnshire, Ill.
After being diagnosed with Late Stage 3 ovarian cancer, I wonder if my health insurance company wishes it had been more proactive with blood testing and the newer protein-analyzing tests. My family and I appreciate your getting the word out on how sneaky and deadly this cancer is. I had been in treatment for acid reflux and irritable bowel syndrome when a CT scan showed ovarian cancer.
CAROL POWNING
Sacramento, Calif.
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