We need a clearer understanding of disease patterns and ecosystem impacts before embarking on eradication strategies, says Ummer Rashid Zargar.

The value of developing new crop varieties with increased nutritional value should not be underestimated, argues Sherry Tanumihardjo.

India has great potential to integrate traditional and modern medicines but its biodiversity must be protected, writes Ummer Rashid Zargar.

Biofortified crops are carefully selected to work for, not against, poor farmers, says Bonnie McClafferty from HarvestPlus.

Tackling micronutrient deficiencies isn't as simple as popping a few pills, says Michiel Korthals.

Fortifying food will only boost health if the micronutrients are in a form the body can use, says Geoff Douglas.

Much of the criticism directed at a WHO report is "simply wrong", says Mary Moran, and readers should consult the full report.

Encouraging the spread of probiotic foods that promote healthy gut bacteria could help developing countries tackle obesity, says Kingsley Anukam.

Ajaga Nji argues that failing democracies and the selfish influence of donors are dooming healthcare policies and systems.

A test for malaria caused by Plasmodium knowlesi exists, says Balbir Singh, but it isn't routine in rural areas where the disease is common.

Warea Orapa says that tilapia fish — hailed as a method of controlling mosquitoes — can cause damage when introduced into new ecosysems.

There is little resistance to the pesticide pyrethrum at present, but use in bednets could change this, says Christiaan Kooyman.

The African sleeping sickness trials are not enrolling more patients than needed, writes Gerardo Priotto of Doctors Without Borders.

Pierre Druilhe argues that a recent study suggesting that parasitic worm infections limit the risk of malaria describes only part of a complex pattern.

Ayo Onatola argues that before traditional medicine can be protected it must be documented and verified, and its practitioners brought into mainstream medicine.

Researchers warn that a proposed method of controlling malaria — using fungi to kill mosquitoes — could have undesirable side effects.

In a letter to Science, Oby Obyerodhyambo discusses the difficulties of negotiating informed consent in poor communities that have little bargaining power.

Stevan Harnad discusses the implications of different models of access to scientific literature and argues that in an online age it is no longer either necessary or tolerable for research to be inaccessible to most of its would-be users.

Clifford Mutero, coordinator of the Systemwide Initiative on Malaria and Agriculture, argues that malaria researchers need to engage with local communities to ensure the adoption and sustainability of solutions.