TECHNOLOGY FORESIGHT SUMMIT - Unido

Part two. Biotechnology Forum 83
Prof. Baralle summarized the development of biotechnology from the developing
world’s perspective, including the findings of recent international conferences
held on the subject. He pointed out that it is essential to build the
capacities of the developing countries in this scientific field and, at the same
time, to establish an impartial forum of information and debate on these subjects,
so that the advantages of the cutting edge of biological research are made
available to all countries in an unrestricted way, but in conditions assuring
that the direction of scientific progress is in their own interest, in their hands
and aimed at solving their problems in a safe and sustainable way. The biotechnology
priorities formulated for developing countries point to crucial fields
such as disease diagnosis, vaccination and environmental improvement, however
they frequently neglect basic science as a fundamental cultural ingredient.
In most developing countries the scientists lack technical/scientific
supplies and this poses a problem in technology transfer. Technology transfer
requires simplification of high-tech procedures and a critical attitude towards
“prestige only” projects. Educational content is a very important ingredient
in projects in developing countries. As he pointed out, developing countries
should choose their priorities in complete freedom aiming to programmes
with the highest capacity building content. There is no need to rigidly restrict
this action to selected subjects such as the so-called third world diseases.
Instead, we have to look favourable to research in the regional infectious diseases
and peculiar pathologies but not exclusively to them. In conclusion,
the scientific and training programmes in developing countries must be at
the forefront of international scientific research, in fields covering basic sciences,
human health, agriculture and biosafety. Resource limitation could
condition the amount but not the quality of the scientific research.
Prof. Maurizio Iaccarino (Italy) presented a report entitled “A Vision for
European Science”. Prof. Iaccarino pointed out that virtually all major
improvements in life expectancy, agricultural output or technological performance
ultimately rely on scientific knowledge, consequently science has
to be acknowledged as a key factor influencing economic and social development.
Even though the scientific performance varies from country to country,
Europe is a major player in today’s science. The funding level is also
variable, 60 per cent of the total funding is provided by three countries, and,
as he pointed out, the EU does not have a long-term policy for science. The
EU and the US spend about the same amount in absolute terms, but in the
US the expenses are apparently more focused to a national policy. A coherent
European science policy should take into account that Europe is one of
the largest factors of global economy, and it should prepare for a scenario of
decreasing population and surging immigration. On the global scene, European
science should promote socially equitable development of the developing
world. As he pointed out, Europe needs that S&T become the motor of economic
development in developing countries. This can only happen if S&T are strengthened
in these countries and Europe can contribute through the transfer of
knowledge and assistance in upgrading the educational systems. Prof. Iaccarino
concluded that it is time to begin discussing in appropriate circles what the