Qiang Wang urges China's scientists to support the government in convincing a sceptical public about the benefits of genetic modification (GM) of agricultural crops (Nature 519, 7; 2015). But there is a distinct line between improving scientific communication and cheerleading for the technology itself.

Scientists should not be in the business of “persuading” the public, nor should they compromise their credibility through hyperbole and oversimplification. Their role is to collect data objectively and use the information to accurately convey the possible risks and benefits.

Scientists should never feel compelled to take sides in polemics, only to present the facts as they understand them.