Much of the so-called problems in the polio eradication programme in India pointed out by Rajib Dasgupta (EPW, 20 June 2009) have been known for years. At the same time, the article is silent about several critical issues.

The government is aggressively promoting India as a location for clinical trials even before setting up the structure to regulate the conduct of these trials. Clinical trials are conducted by contract research organisations which are making inroads into small towns, identifying trial sites in small private hospitals and developing databases of potential trial participants.

The centre

Influenza has the potential to infect many people quickly. Although the death rate for seasonal flu is probably only around 1% of those affected, when the numbers so affected run into millions, as they do in India, the number of people who die will also be large.

An exclusive New Scientist survey reveals what precautions flu experts have been taking, and if they think a more virulent strain will emerge.

We welcome your Editorial plea ('Orphan giant' Nature 459, 1034; 2009) for stronger advocacy for tackling tuberculosis (TB), a shared global strategy and increased commitment to research and innovation. The emerging threat of drug-resistant TB in Europe, highlighted in a recent report from the European Academies Science Advisory Council (EASAC; http://www.easac.eu. (Correspondence)

A vaccine invented 40 years ago by Baruch Blumberg has prevented millions of deaths from hepatitis B and liver cancer.