The selection of embryos for perceived advantageous traits should go against everything parenthood demands of us (“Have a smarter baby”: Embryos chosen for their IQ”, February 5). Children do not exist so emotionally stunted parents can bask in reflected glory. And what happens if the engineered child is not as intelligent, attractive or, heaven forbid, amenable to homeschooling as these parents wanted? It is the stuff of a dystopian nightmare. Any IVF clinic considering using embryo selection for this should lose their registration. And to potential parents, consider this: I’m sure many of the idiot children riding their e-bikes across the Harbour Bridge yesterday have, technically, high IQs. But, clearly, intelligence doesn’t always make you a competent human being (“Police slam Harbour Bridge e-bike stunt”, February 5). Elisabeth Goodsall, Wahroonga
Height and so-called IQ are determined by the interaction of countless genes, by epigenetics and by subtle environmental influences, and reflect a multitude of uncontrollable factors such as exposure to diseases, diet and accidents (what most of us call “luck”). Will the corporations exploiting parents’ fantasies be liable for compensation if their prognostications are not realised and Hermione or Harry turns out to be a stunted dud? Philip Bell, Bronte
It is a great advance that polygenic risk scores can identify the probability of breast cancer in an embryo. However, choosing an embryo for intelligence also increases the risk of bipolar disorder. I grew up in a home in which one parent was bipolar. Everyone suffered, and walking on eggshells was the norm. The world would be a better place if embryos could be tested for kindness and common sense. Bea Hodgson, Gerringong
It was fascinating to read that genetic testing can now predict the polygenic risk of left-handedness. But is this actually a “risk?” Left-handed readers should be mortally offended. Imagine the impact if we eliminate lefties from cricket and tennis. Both sports would be poorer off with such a lack of diversity. Glenn Johnson, Leura
Hands off Sydney’s gems
What will be the fate of the precious Sydney harbourside land, and all the other sites, to be sold by the Labor government for a mere $3 billion (“Wary response to Defence’s $3b asset sell-off”, February 5)? Can they please follow the example of the seminal Supreme Court ruling on Cremorne Point, way back in 1891? After listening to residents’ concerns, the court ruled that a few kilometres of land close to the high-water mark belonged to the public, and, after more unsuccessful battles from developers and coal companies, the beautiful Cremorne Point Reserve was gazetted in 1905 – a rare stretch of harbourside Sydney preserved for everyone’s enjoyment and recreation. Deputy PM Richard Marles is correct that the heritage value of these properties belongs to the Australian people, but can the government please assure us the value of these priceless gems, such as Spectacle Island in the middle of Sydney Harbour, will, in fact, be securely protected for public use (unlike the short-sighted Berejiklian government decision to sell off public housing in the Sirius building at Circular Quay to the highest bidders)? Rob Firth, Red Hill (ACT)
The government is going to sell off numerous Defence land assets and reap billions of dollars (“Government ready to sell off historic Victoria barracks”, February 4). They say they will put it back into buying and updating military equipment. I fear what they really mean is that they’ll give the money to America for another down payment on AUKUS. Sheer lunacy. John Frith, Paddington
The historic Victoria barracks are a priceless historic asset that should never be let out of government ownership. Why not lease them, with appropriate caveats about what can be done with them? A 50-year lease would give new owners comfort and still keep the properties in the hands of the people. Sydney has lost so much of its priceless historic beauty, sold off by second-rate politicians for short-term gain. Can we stop it happening this time? Sue Milliken, Queens Park
Passing the buck
Correspondent Denise McHugh writes that it’s not Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ and the Labor government’s fault that we are spending more than we have (Letters, February 5), claiming it’s the former Coalition’s fault. It’s very difficult to agree with her. We are spending more than we have, and if it continues we will go broke. At that point it won’t matter who we try to shift the blame to – it will be too late. Shifting blame will not fix the problem. Chalmers needs to come up with the answers, and so far he is falling well short of the task. Peter Phizacklea, Sydney
Your correspondent Denise McHugh sums up the rate rise in her letter perfectly. She explains why the rate was increased and what we need to do to address the problem. All in one letter. Oh, that our politicians could learn to be so clear and concise. Janine Burdeu, Mona Vale
Look after our doctors
The report on junior doctors pursuing class action over working conditions should prompt serious reflection across the health sector (“‘Treated like slaves’: Junior doctors’ class action against St Vincent’s Hospital”, February 5). Excessive hours, unpaid overtime and missed penalty rates are often treated as cultural norms rather than systemic failures. Junior doctors form the operational backbone of hospital care, yet too often their goodwill substitutes for proper workforce planning. When overtime and shift penalties go unpaid, the effect is not merely financial. Doctors become understandably preoccupied with being undervalued and underpaid, and their mental focus is divided. That distraction carries consequences in high-stakes clinical environments where concentration and judgment are critical. Fatigue and financial grievance are both patient-safety issues. A system that relies on exhausted and resentful clinicians is not sustainable. Fair pay, enforceable hour limits and transparent rostering are not indulgences – they are safeguards for both staff and patients. Dr Joseph Ting, Brisbane
The reluctance of doctors and other medical staff to claim overtime has always existed. The problem is complex. Firstly, there are limited training places in hospitals, and they are highly coveted, making trainees reluctant to appear as “troublemakers”. Secondly, the mentors, many of whom are senior specialists who supervise training, have endured the same work conditions for years and expect the junior doctors to “suck it up” or jeopardise any prospect of promotion. Thirdly, the shortsighted move many years ago to take experienced doctors from administrative roles and replace them with non-clinical staff led to cost-cutting and budgetary priorities over the clinical needs of patients. An organisation in which staff are expected to work unpaid overtime, or at the very least claim it as leave in lieu, makes budgetary predictions impossible and severely impacts the health and well-being of caregivers and patients. Elizabeth Maher, Gordon
Toast is crumbling
Niki Savva’s insights always shed light on her chosen topic, in this case the demise of the Coalition parties (“Ley is toast and the Coalition isn’t just on a break. This bust-up is serious”, February 5). Liberal leader Sussan Ley emerges from Savva’s critique as a calculating opportunist. David Littleproud lives down to his name. Angus Taylor and Andrew Hastie offer little. Savva doesn’t spare the emerging alternative, One Nation, dismissing them as professional whingers whose MAWA (Make Australia White Again) policies are becoming less opaque as their suitability is being assessed by voters. Labor is fast becoming the only party capable of running the country, which presents a perfect opportunity for meaningful change. However, they have to remain above the petty politics that has led to the decay of the opposition. Geoff Nilon, Mascot
Niki Savva’s observations on the fate of the traditional opposition parties are bang on the money. By which peculiar path of reasoning does the Liberal Party think Angus Taylor could possibly convince the electorate he has what it takes to be a better economic manager, much less prime minister, than the incumbents? He had the chance during the last election campaign to prove the point. In answer to questions, I remember him replying with nothing but a policy-lite series of hesitant ramblings, beginning with “now let’s be clear about this” and ending with anything but the promised clarity – and nothing of substance from anyone else in that benighted party. Toast they are – burnt toast! Frederick Jansohn, Rose Bay
AUKUS buoyancy
Mark February 5 as a red letter day. How else does one describe long-time Liberal correspondent Rosemary O’Brien’s admission of the former Coalition’s “glaringly weak” performance, and fellow conservative Riley Brown’s support of Labor’s AUKUS program (Letters, February 5)? Given the options of shuffling the deckchairs on the Coalition Titanic or following conservative has-beens Barnaby Joyce and Cory Bernardi over to One Nation, maybe it’s time for them to cross over to the other side? They may never vote Labor or Greens, but the gateway progressive teals and community-based independents must look tempting by comparison. Phil Bradshaw, Naremburn
Riley Brown defends AUKUS by saying we need submarines, but no one is suggesting Australia does not need a capable military force, including submarines. What is in question is the AUKUS deal and its specific challenges, like the impact of the projected $300 billion cost on the budget for the next 20 to 30 years. The technical challenges to manage nuclear waste and the infrastructure needed to maintain these subs currently don’t exist. We don’t even know if we will receive the promised Virginia-class subs owing to problems at US shipyards. Not to mention the $3 billion already spent is not refundable, should the promised subs never materialise. Surely we can look elsewhere for a better deal. Daniela Catalano, Haberfield
The old hulk is breaking up and getting smaller, the drunken sailors who haven’t jumped ship are fighting the captain for control of the wheel but the lock-nut popped off and went overboard. Save yourself, Rosemary, before the flounder turns into a founder. Dave Watts, Avalon
God forbid, Rosemary, that you turn to Pauline. I’m praying for you. Claudia Drevikovsky, Croydon
A mere US outpost
Noting that a United States congressional report openly contemplates not selling any nuclear submarines to Australia – as promised under the AUKUS agreement – because America wants to retain control of the submarines for a potential conflict with China over Taiwan, and noting that this same report posits that an alternative “military division of labour” under which the submarines earmarked for sale to Australia are instead retained under US command, to be sailed out of Australian bases, one has to conclude that politicians in this country that have pushed for and supported AUKUS are culpable in converting Australia to no more than an outpost of the American empire (“Let’s stop pretending AUKUS makes us safer”, February 3). Should those who were responsible for such decisions be assessed as “agents of foreign influence” under the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme? Especially as the report continues that money saved be invested on other defence capabilities, even using those capabilities as “a subordinate force in support of US missions”. Brian Everingham, Engadine
Support students in need
A great article by Will Cassell explaining his concerns that many scholarships are awarded to those from financially advantaged backgrounds (“My scholarship taught me a valuable lesson – about my privilege”, February 5). Could I suggest that anyone sharing these concerns and wishing to bequeath funds for scholarships considers universities such as UWS (Western Sydney), which have no shortage of students who would appreciate some help? Richard Tainsh, Potts Point
Bright idea
Sarah Brennan, Germany has heard your plea for renewable energy sources for renters (Letters, February 5). They have come up with something called “balkonkraftwerk”, or balcony solar panels, which can be easily attached to the front of a unit’s balcony. Even Ikea has jumped on the idea and provides a solar cell package in a flat pack. Merran Loewenthalas, Vienna (Austria)
Personal choice
I agree with Mark Porter (Letters, February 5) that love is important and makes life worth living for the elderly, but it does not fill long, lonely days of silence, darkness and pain as your hearing, eyesight and body fail. There are more and more treatments giving hope of a cure for cancer, but there is no cure for old age. Please let us decide when enough is enough and let us go on our own terms. Lynne Raymond, The Ponds
Reports lack meaning
Cath Hunting, I share your concerns about school reports (Letters, February 5). After decades of teaching I eventually conceded defeat and started producing formulaic reports of three paragraphs summarising syllabus objectives, a general statement of progress and a bland attempt to add a personal aspect. It went against the grain after 40 years of writing pithy, humorous and borderline scandalous reports, which (thankfully) never caused offence but were definitely informative, though that would be far too risky for today’s modern management-driven school systems. Phil Armour, Yass
My primary school report summed up my English composition skills exactly, by saying “Barbara lacks imagination.” Nevertheless, I ended up going to uni – where I studied science. Barbara Ryan, Caringbah South
In year 4, I received this comment on my report: “Tom is a useful bowler.” Talk about being damned with faint praise. Tom Meakin, Port Macquarie
Cath Hunting’s letter brings to mind my year 1 report card from 1983, in which I was described as being “energetic and articulate”. On asking my mother what that meant, she replied: “It means you never sit down and you never shut up.” Very true. Theresa O’Halloran, Bondi
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