IN response to the article about the increase in In Vitro Fertilisation cycles to three (High emotional stakes still part of latest provisions for IVF treatment, The National, June 17) I would like to see the evidence presented that an increase in demand is driven by an attitude “that there is always IVF”.

Perhaps a more progressive attitude to substantial early-career paternal leave could be a significant reducing factor, by aiding couples to share their family responsibilities and the impact on careers during their years of optimum fertility. Increases in the use for IVF were driven by the introduction of IVF-related techniques to assist with male fertility issues. I suspect that the very limited availability of any treatments (as opposed to assisted conception) for any infertility issues remains a core factor.

In terms of the newly available third cycle, this has been understood as a necessary base line for many years, due to the trial-and-error nature of the first cycle because of each person’s unique biology. The personal impact of infertility is, for the most part, owing to it being discovered without warning at a time of maximum anticipation.

Alisdair McKay
Inverness

Labelling feeds the division that Jo Cox opposed

I HAVE never met the late Jo Cox MP, grievously murdered Thursday 16th June. So WHILE the death of Jo Cox MP is personal to her dear family and friends, it should also mean much to those of us who did not know her.

I am so sickened by the rhetoric that attends politics, politicians, and the febrile atmosphere surrounding political activities, from the formal institutions to the local. We cannot deny that this is aided and abetted by press, media and social media too.

The lies, the innuendo, the blame, the threats, and the labelling; for, against, pro, anti. It is only natural that there are “differences” in politics, between politicians, and those enthused by the democratic process but, as Jo Cox said in her maiden speech, we are more united and have far more in common with each other than divides us.

That terror was brought to the street outside a library cannot be denied, but until more is known and understood about the killer, do we truly know he was a “loner” with “mental health issues”? How many of us know someone who would fit this description? But we know this because that “someone” has confided in us. Labelling hypes up situations, frequently without concrete evidence: terrorist, extremists. Even “refugees”, “migrants” now appear as negatives to many. This all feeds division, forcing us into “camps” that are feared, loathed, despised and on occasion hunted down. Instead of seeking out the commonality that Jo Cox alluded to, differences become exaggerated, and even more difficult to acknowledge for their positives.

So will I be able to go down the road, locally, to meet with the person that was willing to take up political office? Will that easy access, on the streets, at the gala day, in the constituency office, continue? I hope so, and from what I have heard today, it will.

Otherwise, another vital part of our democratic process died on Thursday 16, along with Jo Cox. RIP.

Selma Rahman
Edinburgh


A COUPLE of small quick points, but I think nonetheless valid, about Janice Burns’s story about the man suspected of killing Jo Cox (The National, June 18).

The article about Thomas Mair describes him as having, “no other full-blood siblings”, but notes “his mother gave birth to an illegitimate son, Scott Steven Mair, on September 11, 1966 and another half-brother, Duane St Louis”. In reality the man simply has two brothers, or half-brothers if you want to be pedantic.

Overall, the tone of the article gives the impression of having been written by someone that believes the creation of human life is only valid if conforming to (alleged) traditional values and dependent upon prior validation by some higher authority. Just why was it thought necessary to enlighten the world the fact that Mair’s grandparents were married after his mother’s birth?

My main gripe however is the use of the word illegitimate, surely describing the birth of a child in such terms should belong solely to the Sun and the Daily Mail. No modern, self-respecting newspaper should be using this outdated language.

Dean Rolland
Address supplied


THE big issue of TTIP in the 2014 referendum is now relegated to unimportance by the Wee Ginger Dug on the grounds that the 28 states can reject it (Forget TTIP – it’s all about Tory power, The National, June 18). What the 28 did was give the Commission a negotiating brief that did not contain exceptions for the public services, as explained by the UK Trade Minister on September 1, 2014.

There will not be a 28-state endorsement or rejection of the TTIP final terms. The Commission will sign as the EU under the powers it now has from the Lisbon Treaty. The European Parliament can reject it, but that has proved a supine body of people. MEPs were allowed into a closed room to read TTIP papers on two conditions: that they took no notes, and did not tell us what they read.

That elected representatives of the people agreed to those terms is deplorable. They will get a take-it- or-reject-it document, and their record so far shows they will knuckle under.

TTIP has been negotiated in secret. It will not exclude public services like the NHS and Scottish Water, leaving them vulnerable to big American corporations who, unlike us, have been involved in the secret discussions. Vote Remain and you get TTIP. Vote Leave and you don’t.

Dr Tom Walker
Edinburgh

SIR Cliff Richard was accused of historical child sex offences but has had the charges dropped as there was “insufficient evidence to prosecute”.

The term “insufficient evidence” implies that the police have some evidence but not enough to charge the suspect and leaves some thinking “there is no smoke without fire”. The more accurate term “no evidence to justify prosecution” should be used.

If prosecutors continues to use “insufficient evidence” then they should reveal evidence they do have.

I suspect none.

South Yorkshire Police publicly named Cliff Richards before he was charged and “leaked” details of their plans to the BBC which then filmed the raid on his home. Trial by media?

This is the police force which for years ignored complaints that children in Rotherham were being groomed and then sexually molested by Asian men.

The senior officers in charge must be removed.

Clark Cross
Linlithgow

THE Tartan Army may have been condemned to watch Euro 2016 from their armchairs, but they are not entirely forgotten, at least in Bordeaux.

Commenting on the good behaviour of this year’s football fans, especially the Welsh and Irish, the local “Sud Ouest” newspaper remarked that it reminded them “of the wonderful times of the Scottish invasion during the 1998 World Cup”.

“Wha’s like us ?” indeed. (Well, the Welsh and the Irish apparently.)

Harry Scott
Coutras, France