Sir, - Please permit me to respond to Ms Ahern's comments (October 22nd) on my letter (October 8th). First of all, Ms Ahern is factually incorrect when she says that I made reference to her comments regarding genetically engineered food. I did not, and perhaps she might read my letter carefully. I did refer to Ms Ahern's warning against the admission of genetically modified sugar to the human food chain. As there is no such thing as genetically modified sugar, it cannot be considered a food. Mr Gargan of Genetic Concern in his letter (October 15th) agreed with me on this point. Ms Ahern's letter provides a further example of misuse of the scientific argument by the Green Party. She warns against the admission of "Roundup tolerant" sugar to the food chain. As sugar is not a living organism it cannot develop a tolerance to anything. Consequently there is no such thing as "Roundup tolerant" sugar either.
For definitions of the terms herbicide and pesticide, I prefer to rely on the Dictionary of Chemis- try compiled by the eminent Professor D. W. A. Sharp, M.A. Ph.D. CChem. FRSC, FRSE, which is available in this office should Ms Ahern wish to consult it. - Yours, etc., Conor Long, Dean of Research,
Dublin City University, Dublin 9.