PerspectivesAre you interested in submitting a Perspective Article? Be sure to read The Science Advisory Board's Editorial Guides for Perspective Articles. Click here. BIOENTREPRENEUR SERIES Perceptions Of Science In A Small-Island Developing State by Sephra Rampersad It is understood that small-island developing states face their own unique challenges in facilitating human development. Fragile economies and multiple societal frameworks make it difficult to diversify priorities outside of the provision of food, water, human health and alleviation of urban pressures. However, maintaining a working synergistic relationship between human development and the environment is integral to these provisions. A disproportionate consideration between the two sustains rural poverty and stagnation and quickly diminishes natural resources. In a state where it is a struggle to produce, to compete and to sustain, human perception of scientific research, one of the mechanisms by which this balance is upheld and monitored, becomes two sided. Farming communities seem to have a tendency to anticipate and embrace the emergence of new and innovative technologies and outputs of agricultural/life science research. They become heavily dependent upon promises of more, better, faster. For instance, in Trinidad the primary phytopathogen in commercial tomato cultivations is Potato yellow mosaic virus-Trinidad isolate. It is an ssDNA virus that is vectored by the sweet potato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci. The epidemic status of this disease has forced management strategies to be supplemented with broad spectrum insecticide use, a practice which is unregulated. Varieties cultivated are constantly being replaced or phased out in favor of newer ‘disease resistant’ imported hybrids. Much of the research into this disease has been conducted in developed countries which experience different growing conditions, disease pressures and socio-economic restrictions. As a result, current trends in these countries may not be entirely applicable to small developing nations. Designer insecticides are too expensive for many farmers and broad spectrum chemicals may be a suitable alternative. Unsolicited insecticide use can result in insecticide resistance and contamination of underground and surface water systems. ‘Disease resistant’ varieties may confer ‘resistance’ which is unilateral and not universal. Yield quality and quantity is reduced and food security must be stabilized through importation, increasing production cost. Competition between local farmers and in the international market suffers. Food, water security and human health become compromised. When farmers experience a breakdown in disease suppression a misguided sense of frustration places the blame on science and deems it inadequate. Expectations are high for science to perform in small island states but when it fails through misuse, absence of legislative or other regulatory mechanisms or inadequate communication between relevant bodies, human perception or more importantly, confidence in scientific research is slowly eroded. To some extent, scientific research needs to be conducted according to the immediate needs of a particular country. Using the wider scientific experience of a temperate country as the basis for applied research in the developing state would quickly enable results to follow. But, results need to be modeled into pre-packaged approaches built with a regulated system of checks and balances prior to public use. The effort extended to make scientific research more applicable will encourage those who use it to trust in an entity that although imperfect, can offer solutions to seemingly insurmountable problems. The importance of education and supplemental training for farmers, extension workers, scientists and other supporting officials should be emphasized. Governmental involvement must extend beyond the provision of agricultural subsidies and incentives to protecting its investment by increasing the availability of crop protection technologies. There should also be a strengthening of local and international institutions with partnerships towards promoting on-going research on sustainable integrated management of disease for small island states. Legislation or ministerial policies to regulate cropping practices may be the next step in disease control. The ultimate challenge presented to science in the developing community would be to engender greater confidence in its human, natural and developed resources. Sephra N. Rampersad (Ph.D. Candidate) The University of the West Indies Department of Life Sciences St. Augustine The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago West Indies A Member of The Science Advisory Board since November 2003 ### If you'd like to discuss this perspective or share your ideas on entrepreneurship in the medical and life sciences please click here. ### << Previous Next >> [ View All Perspectives ] |
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