Sir

We agree with your Opinion article “Selling science to the young” (Nature 417, 1; 200210.1038/417001b) that science should highlight those who turn their scientific training into a more lucrative career. Take, for example, Jan Peter Balkenende, who turned his economics professorship into a premiership after his Christian Democrat party won the Dutch elections in May.

However, it should be stressed that, in addition, the best way of countering the anti-science trend is to solve science's main problems. As you state, the young are refusing to choose a scientific education. Surely it is time to acknowledge fully the complaints of postgraduate associations, to discuss these and to offer improved career prospects and financial rewards?