Integrating Science and People

Integrating Science and People

What first drew me to biology was the wonderfully complex and perfectly coordinated interplay of all the cellular and molecular components to create a functional cell that itself formed a precisely integrated part of a larger whole, the organism. It seemed an ideal metaphor for the perfect world where all members fulfill their functions, communicating with their diverse neighbors, and all interact harmoniously for the good of the whole. While it would be nice to generalize such principles to human society, it is clear that, unfortunately, there is not much resemblance. Similarly, it seemed that the pursuit of scientific research should be a cooperative effort leading toward an understanding of the mechanisms that underlie disease and how to combat them effectively. Once again, however, the reality of the situation did not seem to me to live up to the nobility of its cause. In addition, science is often set apart in an "ivory tower," inaccessible to the outside society that, paradoxically, provides for its very existence.

It was my conviction that science must interact with society, that emphasis had to be placed on the connection between science and people, and that scientists themselves must interact for a more cooperative, egalitarian, and supportive environment. Both of these elements are present in the program I have been developing, focused on the appropriate transfer of molecular technology to developing countries. The program consists of a versatile series of hands-on workshops conducted in countries of limited resources, with the purpose of facilitating first the introduction of molecular techniques for diagnosis of infectious diseases prevalent in the host country, then the implementation of these techniques in molecular epidemiological studies, and finally the use of molecular biology to address basic research questions.

This work began in Nicaragua and has now expanded to Ecuador and a number of other Latin American countries. The concept can be easily applied to other areas of the world as well, including the U.S., for instance in public high schools or county hospitals. The most important factor is the inclusion of the human element, in the design of the courses, in the interaction among participants, and in the research objectives themselves. The courses and follow-up projects have generated an enormous amount of enthusiasm among scientists in both developing and developed countries. It is very exciting to see the possibilities offered by the appropriate application of these technologies, including the empowerment produced by the realization that anyone can wield these "sophisticated" new tools.

As this work becomes known, I have been surprise and gratified by the number of people in this country who are eager to participate in some aspect of the program. I think this reflects the need for alternative careers in science, besides the typical paths in academia or industry. There are myriad opportunities to apply the biological sciences to relevant human problems, and this is just one example. What is necessary is a firm belief that new paths are possible, especially with the model offered by the beauty of the biological system itself.