IMAGINATIVE measures are needed to combat the 'chewing gum trail of shame' (July 23).
Vast entrepreneurial opportunity awaits someone who sets up a service which traces the original owner of the now discarded gum.
York's proximity to science labs means a tiny sample of each piece of gum on our city streets could be DNA profiled.
MP Hugh Bayley could lobby for the introduction of a new law - say "the irresponsible ejection of gum" - which would oblige the chewer of said gum to ensure its appropriate disposal.
DNA matching would lead to a fine dropping through the letter box. Carried out nationwide, this would raise millions and easily pay for the national removal of gum from our streets.
Jonathan Charles Bonner,
Huntington Road, York.
Updated: 09:50 Friday, July 29, 2005
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