Letter: Bio bias

I WAS interested to read in 11 October's issue ("Genetic food board's 'bias' is questioned") that "enthusiasm" is now to be considered a disqualification for serving on an independent advisory committee, in this case for releases of genetically modified crops to the environment. I suppose that definite and ignorant bias against something is going to be the new millennial requirement for such public service in future.

"Links to the food industry" is, unfortunately, a price to pay for having such good experts in the area. We cannot expect them to remain in an ivory tower, refusing all requests from industry to comment, consult and advise. We expect them to declare interests and that is exactly what they do, if the situation arises. This negative whingeing attitude and vandalism against crop biotechnology are doing no one any good. Biotechnology has a significant contribution to make to food quality and safety.

MEREDITH LLOYD-EVANS

Cambridge