Life Scientists Worried by Technology Access 'Gap'

Access to technology is creating an unbridgeable gap between developed and developing countries, according to a poll of more than 2,100 respondents by the Science Advisory Board, a panel of professionals developed in 1997 by US-based BioInformatics, LLC.

More than twice as many respondents (58%) thought that technology access issues were widening the gap between the world's 'haves' and 'have-nots', as thought it was not (26%). The remaining 16% said they were unsure.

The Board is an online panel of more than 18,100 scientists, physicians and other life science and medical professionals from 62 countries.

Dr. Tamara Zemlo, Director of Scientific & Medical Communications for The Science Advisory Board, says that 'developing countries should concentrate on acquiring biomedical technologies that would be most valuable to them, are easily transferred and can be adapted to the realities local adoption requires'.

The report suggests that developed countries can assist most directly in the transfer of biomedical technologies to their developing neighbors by directly investing in the countries themselves, fostering joint ventures and alliances, permitting licensing, providing technical service and supporting trade.

More information is available from www.scienceboard.net

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas unless otherwise stated.