Marketing Ova

The controversy surrounding the Internet marketing of attractive young women’s ova (“Photographer Puts Up Young Models’ Genes for Sale,” Oct. 24), recalls the 19th century tale of actress Sarah Bernhardt’s suggestion to playwright George Bernard Shaw that he father her child. “Just think, monsieur,” Bernhardt is said to have enthused, “a child with your brains and my looks!”

“But madam,” the brilliant, but physically unappealing, wit replied sensibly, “what if he should be born with your brains and my looks?” Caveat emptor.

AVIE HERN

Los Angeles