CRUCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF

YOUNG JAMAICAN SCIENTISTS

Dr. Arnoldo K Ventura

Special Advisor to the Prime Minister

Office of the Prime

Kingston 6, Jamaica

Keynote Address

Undergraduate Student Awards

FacultyÊofÊNaturalÊSciences March 18, 1993

Mr. Chairman, Dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences, members of the faculty and the University teaching fraternity, parents, friends, students, this is my first opportunity to address an official function at the University of the West Indies and I am particularly pleased with the honor.

This is especially so because I shall be speaking to the next generation of Jamaican scientists; professionals on whom much will depend in the island's quest for a better life.

Science is now inextricably linked with technological progress and consequently it has become a significant force in charting economic, social, cultural and environmental development. Science therefore has lost its academic purity and pubescent innocence and has become the prime molder of industrial competitiveness which largely defines the prosperity of nations and their global influence.

Science has yet to play its full role in Jamaica's socioÐeconomic development. While at the same time there is much clamor for rigorous definition of local problems and for a better flow of technical knowledge to invigorate our productive system. Science can contribute to both these national concerns, but it has to be significantly strengthened to play its longÐoverdue and pivotal social role. In these times of economic hardships, science has to win popular support by tackling social objectives and thereby attract serious socioÐpolitical attention.

Students, like yourselves, who are privy to University science education, are therefore highly privileged and are poised to make a fundamental contribution in drastically improving the quality of life on the island.

To further illustrate this fact, I shall briefly outline the central position science now occupies in global affairs, touch upon problems dogging domestic science, and consequently suggest how local scientists can help forge a more promising future.

THE POWER OF SCIENCE

The Second World War confirmed the utilitarian efficacy of science. Buoyed by this fact, science was then directed to improve industry, agriculture and more recently service. Science, and the technologies it has spawned, are without contention the most important forces in the material success of nations. Science is reputed to have been responsible for over 50% of the productivity gains in the last three decades. This assessment appears reasonable, when it is considered that the scientific method has provided the major thrust in the generation of knowledge and the creation of a spate of modern innovations, which have literally transformed human existence and the development prospects of countries. Scientific technologies have allowed certain nations to leap from poverty to industrial wealth in a single generation.

Most will agree that science is the greatest discovery of the modern age. It has more than fulfilled the hopes of its first ardent supporters, the philosophers of The Enlightenment. Apart from its material successes, science has an intrinsic value without parallel. It has become a unique expression of humanity and one of the noblest attributes of life. The acquisition, organization and assimilation of scientific knowledge stand at the pinnacle of intellectual prowess.

Science has allowed man to shape his own destiny by understanding the Universe and by probing his own character. It has given him a tool to comprehend life and has permitted him to harmonize with nature as he attempts to manipulate his environment. Science has become so successful that we have begun to feel that it can solve any problem if it is properly pursued.

PROBLEMS OF SCIENCE

The influence of science in human affairs is therefore unquestionable. However, the deployment of science is open to much question. It has propelled manufacturing in quantity, quality and variety. Health, transportation and communication have been improved tremendously, much recreation and leisure have been provided and life spans have been lengthened. But societies everywhere are in decline because their major spiritual concerns have been neglected and a large majority have been excluded from the enormous benefits of science.

Man has forgotten that he lives in a closed delicately balanced system and that he is a fragile product of its synchrony. He has overlooked the fact that his biological evolution cannot keep pace with the many precipitous changes occasioned by his scientific intellect. Man foolishly has attempted to use science to conquer nature instead of living with it. He therefore has set the stage to destroy himself.

Science, regrettably, has been deployed mainly to explore the particulate, instead of the broader steadyÐstate parameters necessary for the sustenance of life. Furthermore, science has given little thought to happiness, one of the illusive aspirations of humanity.

As the power of science grows, it has increasingly been harnessed for oppressive, iniquitous and irrational purposes. Science is now practiced to produce more and more things, so much so, that progress in the metropolitan countries has become synonymous with excessive accumulation. More and more of everything is being produced for larger and larger numbers of people, with little consideration of their effects on ecology or posterity. Environmental and psychological problems are consequently on the rise everywhere.

Science has largely responded to its own internal logic, to the extent that it has been criticize as irrelevant and a drain on society. It has alienated the majority of lay citizens because of its super specializations and the languages associated with them. Scientists themselves find it difficult to communicate across specialities. Scientists in their preoccupation with their craft have neglected political and business leadership, and therefore have been squeezed to the margins of social influence.

A love hate relationship now exist between science and society in countries like Jamaica.

THE CHALLENGE OF JAMAICAN SCIENTISTS

Jamaica's science has never stirred the society to higher levels of production, service or management, as it has in developed societies. As a matter of fact, it is still largely seen as an academic exclusivity, benefiting only a few with the necessities for acquiring traditional technical qualifications.

Many scientists still jealously cling to the nonÐutilitarian purity of scientific practice, while others grudgingly accept the application of science solely on their own terms. As useful as these attitudes may have been to the nurturing of science, in today's world they are inimical to it's growth, and unhelpful in gaining national acceptance.

Thrown into international competition and faced with the drooping struggle to cope with unrelenting social and environmental pressures, Jamaica desperately seeks creative options and new avenues to improve the quality of life of its citizens. But although science can clarify the various issues involved, and can provide a range of functional alternatives, to increase productivity and direct worthwhile social engineering, it is by passed by our leaders.

Science in the recent past was showered with a distant reverence, occasioned more by public perception of its intrinsic discipline, order, excellence and honesty, than by its social contributions. However, in the new demanding world this social confidence is quickly being eroded, because science is being viewed as serving only special interests, without due concern for the environment, while professional vanity and aggrandizement have become painfully excessive.

If science does not serve the interest of the majority, it will not gain and hold their support. Local scientists therefore have to work more closely with the needy groups in society to ensure that science makes much more meaningful contributions to the well being of all. As young scientists you are still in touch with the citizens at large. These links should be strengthened and expanded, as you proceed with your graduate studies. In this way, channels will remain open for you to influence society and for society to modulate your work.

This is not an argument to abandon basic or pure research, which is the root of the scientific endeavor, but science must become more responsive to the needs and demands of society, if it is to receive its share of limited local resources. In this

connection, the scientific establishment must find ways to include the rest of society in setting priorities in its endeavors. Priorities in science should not be determine by public relations or by influential connections within the society. Scientific problems must be selected on the basis of human welfare, and what contributes to the greatest good. Intellectual interests, prevailing fashions, or funding sources, should not be the main determining factors in the type of science that is conducted in Jamaica.

The challenge then is to identify social objectives, which will suggest areas for scientific emphasis. This is the best way to ensure timely and relevant research results.

For you, as young scientists, to capture the essence of social need, you must be clear in your minds that the much vaunted demand pull is not confined to the narrow capitalist market, and that the needs of the state and the demands of the poor, are integral parts of our market reality. In this connection, it must be remembered that science can produce more power and things than are reasonably required. You must therefore not fall prey to the tendency to equate progress with the surfeit of things, or the massive transformation of nature.

Man's adaptability is not endless and science can run ahead of evolution to the detriment of human life. So you must acquit yourselves not only with the leverage of science, but also a healthy respect for its limitations and its dislocating effects. The history, philosophy and the environmental impact of science must form part of your education.

The success of science depends on the ground on which it is sown. An informed society, especially one that is comfortable with the scientific method and appreciative of the dominance of it's technologies, will more likely be receptive to calls for vastly improved and sustained support for science. Young scientists, as yourselves, therefore must organize to demonstrate the importance of science to the Jamaican society. In communicating with the lay public, you must use ordinary and easily understood language. You should therefore learn the art of simple scientific writing, verbal communication fluency and skillful use of audioÐvisuals. These therefore should be compulsory components of any graduate science program.

Values shape our knowledge and this in turn fashions how we approach our environment, which determines our quality of life. Science does not dictate the dominant values in the society. Instead science is often a victim of wayward values. Science require long term investment and a lot of nurturing for it to take hold. The prevailing Jamaican values incite shortÐcuts, violation of rules and subterfuge to reap immediate profits and revel in ostentatious living. Science cannot prosper in this short sighted, socially indifferent, openly voracious and unrepentant in-discipline ethos.

A damaging consequence of this acquisitive mentality is the lure of young scientists to relative high paying jobs, which manipulate, rather than generate, wealth. Although it is to the nation's advantage to have workers with scientific training in all occupations, it is a massive waste to have gifted scientists shun science for nonÐproductive professions, because of better salaries and working conditions. This is a trend which is having serious effects on the production and productivity in our society.

The scientific and technological establishment must challenge this tendency by ensuring that scientists, engineers, technologists and technicians are appreciated and rewarded in such a way, that dedicated workers can benefit from career advancement and equitable salaries, without leaving their chosen professions.

We as scientists have to remind our society that whereas desires may be infinite, we are finite beings, and that riches and comfort do not assure health nor happiness. We have to remind our brothers and sisters that each of us have to rise above self, if our country is to grow and prosper.

We should further remind ourselves that discipline, inquiring minds, intellectual honesty, humility and willingness to share, are all attributes of good science, and are virtues badly needed in our society. As young scientists you have much to offer your society. You can become exemplary beacons in our rough and troubled world.

The good fortune has been yours to experience the intellectual majesty of science, pass on the rewarding message.

Thanks for your attention.