Your Editorial poses the question of whether research scientists really need to have a PhD (Nature 464, 7; 2010). But the advanced training of future scientists is unlikely to be discarded in China or anywhere else — despite the success achieved by the Beijing Genomics Institute (or, for that matter, by Microsoft's Bill Gates and Apple's Steve Jobs).

The institute's research surpasses what is being done in many universities and research institutions in China, which in fields such as genomics, lack the funding and talent that leading, non-degree-granting organizations can provide.

The excitement of potential scientific achievement in such a rapidly developing field may be most palpable in places where the major action is happening. And these places attract aspiring researchers, with or without a doctorate.

China's rapidly growing economy and increasing prosperity have, paradoxically, enticed many professors away from their mentoring priorities. There is also fierce competition for research positions, created by the rapid expansion of PhD programmes in China over the past decade. These and other factors encourage prospective PhD students into non-academic careers.

China is no different from other countries, in that a doctorate is still necessary for independent researchers and group leaders. The Beijing Genomics Institute project is likely to be a laudable exception to the rule.