THE EDITOR, Sir:

I CAN understand the desire to get things going and to respond to problems with innovative solutions, but I thought we were past rushing about the business of development. People in positions of high office must be held to a higher standard than those of us who work in the trenches. They must think before they speak and act.

The call to use cassava in a major way will likely add to the body burden of many of us of African descent who already have issues with diabetes, and high blood pressure, and who are overweight. The simplest of searches on the Internet will indicate that "the nutritional value and health benefits of the cassava make it somewhat suitable for weight gain. However, don't include too much cassava in your diet if you're interested in main-taining optimum health, and weight loss" (www.great-workout.com/nutrition/vegetables/cassava-nutrition-facts.cfm), (journals.cambridge.org/download.php?file).

Come on! Wake up! There are local professionals in the scientific community who could have told them that. But I'm sure no one asked. Come on, what is our government trying to do to us? Are we to lose faith in the belief that deep down they mean us no harm?

I am, etc.,

JOHN PRESTON

byhisdeeds@gmail.com

Kingston

Via Go-Jamaica