Cuba Opens Scientific Program in Dominican Republic Book Fair

Santo Domingo, Apr 20.- Contemporary science does not meet basic human needs due to an arbitrary distribution of wealth, said the Cuban Doctor Fidel Castro Diaz-Balart at the beginning of the scientific program of the 15th International Book Fair in the Dominican Republic. In the exhibition, which opened last Wednesday and will run until May 6, the Cuban expert will give a lecture entitled "Contemporary Science in an Unequal World".

While presenting this series of lectures on scientific subjects, the Dominican Minister of Culture, José Rafael Lantigua, told the audience at the National Theater, that despite his vast knowledge, Fidel Castro Diaz-Balart surprised him with his simplicity and humility.

The speaker is not only a renowned man of science in his country, said Lantigua, but also in Latin America and the world. He is the author of a dozen books that honor our Fair, with a program of activities that for the first time emphasizes scientific topics, he pointed out.

The Cuban doctor in nuclear science began refered to figures showing the polarization of wealth and the control of knowledge in the world, where a triad of powerful nations, the United States, the European Union and Japan, monopolize new technologies, patents and the brain drain, euphemistically described as migration of professionals.

Later, he referred to Cuba's scientific development, just initiated three decades ago and based on biotechnology, biopharmaceuticals and medical equipment.

Today, Cuba has 53 scientific institutions, and 141 products are exported to 50 countries, with an average annual growth of 30 percent over the past decade, concluded the Cuban scientist, who was highly acclaimed by the public. (Prensa Latina)