Sir

In your News feature “Forza Scienza!” (Nature 412, 264–265; 2001), you discuss the scientific management of Italy's Higher Institute of Health (ISS) in Rome since its reform. Yet this reform will not be operative until the end of the year, when the rules and regulations set down in March will be approved. Therefore it would seem wiser and more appropriate to leave us some time to implement the reform before quoting statements such as “The situation [at ISS] is worse than ever”.

The whole staff, with me at the front line, is strongly committed to exploit all the autonomy and flexibility provided by the new rules to allow us to strengthen our research and output in terms of public health. This is our only mission.