The article "When science is for hire" (Aug 23) raises important issues about consumer protections from hazardous chemicals and the need for better controls on industry-sponsored research.

Consumers are the losers when researchers, industry, scientific journals, and in the Eastman Chemical case even the courts, cannot agree on standards of objectivity in assessing public health risks. The story illustrates why government funding of research is still needed and should be increased.

Rebecca Ruggles, Baltimore

The writer is director of The Maryland Environmental Health Network.