LETTER: Monkey talk

From Mr C. J. Feetenby

Sir: I am surprised Felipe Fernandez-Armesto does not make more of the self-conscious awareness of human beings ("If we are not masters of the universe, who is?", 11 September). The reason for the failure to communicate with chimpanzees and gorillas is that, although they have come close to the threshold of self-conscious awareness, they have not passed this critical point. If this is correct, then human beings are right to take on themselves the role described for them in Genesis.

Yours faithfully,

C. J. Feetenby

Leeds