La Libertad Avanza candidate Javier Miley speaks after learning of his victory at the polls. He will be the new president of Argentina. (Luis Rubio/AFP)
Photography: AFP-Luis Rubayo
More than 60 contest winners Nobel Prize in Chemistry, Medicine, Economics and Physics Last Wednesday, they sent a letter to the Argentine President, Javier MileyTo express their concern about cuts in science and technology funding, as well as the implications for the country and the world.
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“We see how the system of science and technology in Argentina is approaching a dangerous abyss, and we are concerned about the consequences that this situation may have on the Argentine people and on the entire world. We view with concern the abolition of the Ministry of Science and Technology, and the dismissal of its administrative staff.” National Council for Scientific and Technical Research (CONSIT) and other institutes across the country and the early termination of several contracts next month.” Read the document. “We fear that Argentina is abandoning its scientists and science students. We are concerned that this situation shows not only a significant devaluation of Argentine science, but also a devaluation of the Argentine people and the future of Argentina.”
Miley's government, which won the country's presidency with its rhetoric about cutting government spending, has reduced funding for these institutions in recent months, which has raised concerns in the local and international scientific community. The winners stressed in the letter that Argentina was able, through its scientific institutions, to develop its own vaccine against the disease Covid-19, communications satellites and nuclear reactors for the country's development.
“For these reasons, we respectfully urge you to restore budgets from the restrictions recently imposed on your country's very important science and technology sector. “The freeze in research programs and the decline in the number of graduate grantees and young researchers will destroy a system that has taken many years to build and will cost much to rebuild.” “. Points to the message.
Argentine government response
In response to the letter, Miley's government announced that it was surprised by the requests of scientists from other countries, and confirmed that this point falls within its government development program.
“The National Government expresses its astonishment at the letter signed by foreign scientists condemning the state of abandonment in Conisit. The National Government is committed to science and technology, and we will always do so. In fact, the President of the Nation himself is an academic with dozens of publications, six books written and hundreds of conferences he has delivered in Argentina and throughout around the world”. Presidential spokesman Manuel Adorni noted at a press conference at Casa Rosada.
“The President recognizes the importance of science, and values results that allow for tangible improvements in society In fact, a Conisit Which puts its efforts into developing bioeconomics or artificial intelligence applied to medicine. As a result, although the number of researchers at Conset has tripled in 20 years, Argentina ranks sixth in the Latin American innovation rankingBehind Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Colombia and Uruguay.
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