Unsavoury pickle

This is with reference to the article, "ICAR chases patents for pickle" (September 16-30, 2014). I appreciate the author's attention to the malpractices indulged in by our reputed scientists. Perhaps they need to be given lessons in scientific integrity and sanctity of public trust. Actions of a few unscrupulous scientists, like B M Naveena, throw a negative light on the entire scientific community.

ROBERT JOHNSON

India is blessed with its own ancient traditions and culture. Many recipes have

SORIT / CSE originated over years and have been passed from one generation to the next. It is a shame that scientists are trying to stake a claim over something that belongs to the public.

LAL TANDON

It is amusing that the website of the National Research Centre on Meat ( NRCM) has been inaccessible since Down To Earth published the article on how a group of scientists from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research has sought a patent for chicken gongura pickle, a tried-and-tested recipe quintessential to Andhra cuisine. Is it because NRCM does not want the public to see its fraud research?

GIRISH NANDU

I appreciate the diligence and hard work of the author to write in detail about the fraudulent practices in the field of science. I hope the authorities take note and initiate appropriate action.

AMISH SHAH