From John Morris
I have just read the essay by Jeffrey Sachs on the importance of science and technology for the fight against poverty (17 August, p 52).
I have to say that in nearly 50 years of work in developing countries I have learned that the two primary requirements for any country to make progress are a combination of effective – and therefore uncorrupt – law and order, and good communications.
Without the one or the other, and certainly without both, it is impossible for science or any other beneficial form of aid to contribute effectively. If scientists cannot get to a problem in safety they can neither investigate it, research it nor apply a technology developed to solve it.
Horsham, Sussex
