Fig leaf of a defence by academies

In their attempt to defend the indefensible, science academies have come out with more half- truths. In a note posted on its website, the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) says a letter was sent to fellows of three science academies seeking their views on transgenic crops, but there is no mention of how many responded and what their views were.

There is a footnote which says a similar letter was sent by the President of National Academy of the Medical Sciences to its fellows. No dates are given nor has the text of this letter been shared. The curious part is that the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences did not follow a similar process but indicated that it would nominate Fellows on its own.

We don’t know who was nominated and how. This is crucial because Dr P Anand Kumar — whose article the academies’ copied in the report — is a fellow of the agriculture academy. INSA is also trying to imply that it was draft report circulated for ‘further inputs and feedback’. If it was so, the report does not mention it.

Secondly, if it was a draft why was it sent to the government? The academy is also downplaying the plagiarism by calling it a mere “ glitch”. Will INSA come out with full truth and be transparent in its dealings, Dr M Vijayan?