Brian and Deborah Charlesworth, and Anthony Gordon (Letters, 12 March), correctly clarify that geneticists have for many years avoided the stronger claims of genetic determinism. But they are missing the point regarding the origins of “race science”. The issue is not whether DNA interacts with the environment in individuals, it is whether DNA is the sole transmitter of inheritance. There is abundant evidence that it is not. It is the relevant sense of determinism or non-determinism that is in question. The word “determinism” in isolation doesn’t mean very much.
Denis Noble
Oxford
• It is an entirely fitting tribute that Professor Stephen Hawking will continue to star posthumously in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Hexagonal Phase. Who else knew more about life, the universe and everything?
Austen Lynch
Garstang, Lancashire
• After 76 years, there’s a black hole.
Rod Matthews
Melbourne, Australia
• In history, No Plan Like Yours To Study History Wisely reminded us of the sequence of royal houses; and Willy, Willy, Harry, Ste, Harry, Dick, John, Harry Three began the list of monarchs which finished with a triumphant William and Victoria (Letters, 14 March).
Jane Barder
London
• John Crace shouldn’t get too excited (Our kids can’t leave fast enough, 10 March). They’ll be back. We downsized and moved away. They found us. Two extensions later, we can now all fit in our house again plus grandchildren. Give them wings, they fly, they migrate and come back home.
Gill Garratt
Falmouth, Cornwall
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