Letter: Freemason gene

Sir: Lt Comm M. B. S. Higham, RN, (letter, 16 July) is quite right to point out that Freemasons do not belong to any kind of secret society, but it is interesting to note the strong hint of a hereditary principle in the male line - membership of the craft passing from grandfathers to fathers and sons, embracing brothers and even cousins. Can we assume that scientists will soon be able to isolate the responsible gene?

Yours faithfully,

JOHN MATTHEWS

Clifton,

Bristol

16 July