New York's ban of trans fat oils in the city's restaurants is a move which should be adopted locally, commencing with the fast-food industry. The health benefits would be significant in that there would be a reduction in diseases which are linked to clogged arteries, particularly heart disease.

The fast-food culture has taken hold in Jamaica and, as such, anything that will reduce the harmful effects of consuming these sorts of products would be a welcome change to what currently exists.

I urge the Government and the private sector to ban the use of trans-fat oils in the local fast-food industry.

- Patrick A. Gallimore

pagalley@hotmail.com

Kingston

Your article about Port Antonio being 'developed' sent chills down my back, and I am certain, down the backs of others.

Port Antonio is rightfully famous for its natural beauty and for its talented, beautiful people, no multi-storey concrete monstrosities can enhance what God has wrought.

Now, if development means a viable and well-maintained network of roads that serve the farmers in rural districts, as well as the businesses in the towns (not just the tourist resorts), a water system that actually provides potable water every day, an electric grid that provides power 24 hours every day at a constant level and an environment-friendly waste disposal system, well, yes please, that is development that would be welcome.

- Donal Callum, dcallum@hotmail.com, Cold Harbour, Portland

I am appalled at the story published yesterday, June 28, where Lanny Davidson (founder of Fathers' Crisis Centre) was quoted as saying women "control the children, she decides when to procreate and if the man chooses to do it in his own time, she can say it was rapeand he can be charged".

Mr. Davidson and any man who thinks like him ought to respect the fact that a woman has a God-given right to bring life into this world, which men do not have. A man who is in a respectful relationship with a woman can certainly decide with her on the appropriate time for procreation. Any breach by either party of that respect is a violation, and in the case where the man forces his desire upon a woman, it is rape.

Mr. Davidson ought to apologise for undermining women's reproductive rights and, indeed, for sanctioning rape. A man of his position really should make more enlightened comments.