SIR – If human beings are supposed to be the most intelligent primates on Earth, why are scientists spending billions looking for life on Mars, a dry, cold planet that has a thin 95 per cent carbon dioxide atmosphere and is continuously plagued by huge dust storms that often escalate into planet-wide violent storms, when millions of their fellow humans are struggling to exist?

Scientists should concentrate on preserving life here on Earth, for they still can’t predict volcanic eruptions or earthquakes and haven’t the slightest idea how to stop a meteor on a collision course with our planet.

Don’t, however, have nightmares – these shooting stars usually burn up on entering the Earth’s atmosphere, but then again...

David Rhodes, Croscombe Walk, Bradford