Letter: A controversial chromosome

Sir: In today's editorial ('Gay genes do not exclude choice') you say that 'the happiest outcome of the latest research would be to reduce the intolerance that homosexuals encounter'.

I can just see it. Those who hitherto supported current British law - which makes it a criminal offence for two 20- year-old men to have sex in private - will now campaign for an equalisation of the age of consent. The opposition to President Clinton's plans for gays in the armed forces will vanish away like the dew in the morn. And queer-bashers will henceforth be merciful to anyone who can produce evidence of the appropriate genetic marker on their Xq28 chromosome.

Yours sincerely,

BRIAN SIMPSON

London, N6

16 July