Concern over antibiotics use

A reader cautions against overuse of antibiotics. Other topics: WhatsApp, technology, Farnek

A reader warns against using antibiotics to treat minor illnesses. Ravindranath K / The National

The use of antibiotics has repercussions that the general public has no idea about (Antibiotic use has to be controlled, April 5). Eighty per cent of our immunity is in the digestive tract.

Trillions of bacteria live in the gut and are intimately involved with the brain on many levels. They produce neurochemicals such as dopamine and serotonin and manufacture important vitamins that keep the brain healthy. They also maintain the integrity of the gut lining. I am 56 years old and I have only had antibiotics once in my life. I also have three grown-up children.

Two of them have only had antibiotics once and one has never had them. They should be there as a life-saving measure, not for treating an infection that a healthy body can fight.

AK Wells, Dubai

Is privacy more important to us than security?

I don't see why governments shouldn't at least have the right to view messages that contain specific key words (WhatsApp debate, April 7). I have nothing to hide and, while I don't agree to my government having unfettered access, I do believe that it should be able to monitor for dangerous traffic. It's no different from any of our laws. Some people may believe they have the right to do something if it is within their own home, but most laws do not allow certain behaviour even in the privacy of our own homes, such as physical violence. We have already decided that it serves the greater good for the government to be able to define laws that govern our private lives. So why is this any different when the potential outcome is just as damaging, if not more so?

Ela Jayne, Australia

Privacy trumps. If the state wants to take away that privacy, it needs to have solid proof and get a warrant from an independent judiciary.

Chris Reid, Dubai

Technology is a means, not end

If I understand Dr Ali Al Nuami correctly, then it would seem that technology is the key to education, but I respectfully disagree with this view (Teachers must embrace change, April 7).

The key to education is instilling a love of learning, regardless of the medium, be it digital or analogue. The measure of a quality education system is students who can absorb abstract concepts, question ideas, and generate innovative ideas of their own. I’m sure Dr Al Nuami understands this, and his comments may have been focused more on public schools in Abu Dhabi (my experience is with private ones), but it is worth reinforcing that technology is a means, not an end.

This is the Year of Reading, so if technology gets students to read more, all the better. Hopefully, bookstores in the malls will one day sell more books and fewer toys. When that happens, we’ll know that the focus on technology in schools is having the intended effect.

Nathan Toronto, Abu Dhabi

A smart move by Farnek

I applaud Farnek for introducing smart technology that's going to revolutionise the workforce (Farnek to roll out system for tracking staff through smartphones and watches, April 6).

This move will eliminate the smartphone syndrome, where employees spend 50 per cent of company time scanning social-media sites and watching/ downloading movies.

If it’s not manipulated like all previous human resource systems, then there will be a significant decline in errors and negligence on part of employees that affect the people’s livelihoods.

Richard Joel Kamanyiro, Dubai