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| M.S. Swaminathan seeks greater
access to scientific inventions |
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| Increased productivity has grown
enormously, so has intolerance "Knowledge revolution
increased productivity; intolerance too has grown"
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| The Ministry of Human Resource Development
should establish a patents bank that would stimulate
scientists to consider themselves as trustees of their
intellectual property, sharing their inventions with
the poor, said agricultural scientist M.S. Swaminathan
here on Monday. |
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| Delivering the convocation address
at Madras Christian College, Tambaram, Dr. Swaminathan,
alumnus of the college, said: "The products of
scientific inventions may become increasingly exclusive,
with access being limited only to those who can afford
to pay. The rich-poor divide will then increase, since
orphans will remain orphans with reference to scientific
attention and investment." |
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| `Greater emphasis needed' |
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| Knowledge revolution increased productivity
and the world economy had grown enormously but intolerance
had also grown, he noted. "We need a greater emphasis
on ethical aspects in colleges and universities and
bio-safety, bio-security and bio-ethics are now important."
Scientists and technologists had a vital role in launching
an ethical revolution because there was a growing mismatch
between the rate of progress in science in the area
of molecular biology and genetic engineering and the
public understanding of their short and long-term implications.
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| A free media served as an early
warning system. A free media and a free election commission
were necessary for democracy, he said. Calling on students
to maintain a questioning and learning mind in the world
of knowledge revolution, he urged the graduating students
to beware of a "greed revolution." Though
the country produced food grains, hunger continued to
plague because "people don't have the purchasing
power." |
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| Dr. Swaminathan called for a transition
from unskilled to skilled work that would ensure jobs.
"Nations that overvalue material resources and
undervalue human resources become poor. We want a nation
of opportunities." |
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| Some 1,000 students graduated. Prizes
were given away to over 100 students for their academic
performance. |
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| V.J. Philip, principal, presented
a report on the college's performance. K.M. Mammen,
president, Alumni Association, was present. |
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| Source : The Hindu, 7 March, 2006 |
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