Want to discard Lasaga's research? Ban Plato, too.

To the Editor:

Your article regarding the publication of Antonio Lasaga's academic work ("For Lasaga's peers, tough questions," 2/23) quotes Frank Podosek as asking, rhetorically, "How can we say, 'If you fudge [data] we'll ostracize you and not publish your work, but if you're a child molester it's no big deal?'"

Podosek makes a very good point. That is, after all, the very reason we don't teach Plato in our schools anymore.

Alexander Rubens '00

February 23, 2001