The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : M.S. Swaminathan seeks greater access to scientific inventions

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Mar 07, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

M.S. Swaminathan seeks greater access to scientific inventions

Staff Reporter

Increased productivity has grown enormously, so has intolerance "Knowledge revolution increased productivity; intolerance too has grown"

SPECIAL PRIZE: Reshma Elizabeth Jacob of III B.A. English (left) receives her certificate from M.S. Swaminathan at the 27th convocation of Madras Christian College, Tambaram, on Monday. V.J. Philip, principal is also seen. — Photo: A. Mualit haran

CHENNAI: 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.

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."

`Greater emphasis needed'

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.

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."

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."

Some 1,000 students graduated. Prizes were given away to over 100 students for their academic performance.

V.J. Philip, principal, presented a report on the college's performance. K.M. Mammen, president, Alumni Association, was present.

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