Research Center, Caution Promises vs Delivery

http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20071220/lead/lead8.html


Prime Minister of Jamaica moots research

Thursday December 20, 2007


Prime Minister Bruce Golding has proposed the establishment of a major research centre that would bring together the various research agencies under one umbrella.
He said the institute would be set up at the University of the West Indies (UWI) or the University of Technology.

Speaking yesterday at a luncheon and awards ceremony hosted by the Sugar Industry Authority at the Mona Visitors' Lodge, UWI, Mr. Golding said he has started discussions with representatives from the two universities and all the research agencies.

"Research must be academically driven but it also has to have that commercial practical application," the Prime Minister said, noting that the local research centre would be linked to similar institutes abroad.
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Albeit a good idea to centralize, however the guiding principle appears to be off based as in business first, people next. The centralization appears to be influenced or being driven primarily by business interest. This type of environment places people at more risk or more 'efficient risk'.

Mr. PM tell us about the laws, rules and regulations that will govern this research center, especially since its being linked willy nilly to foreign research interest, or at least the contingencies being set up to ensure that adequate legislation(s) is/are drafted and passed into law protecting the 'research subjects' (Jamaican people) from funder interest abuse. If not, we will see more of the following:

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/html/20070926T230000-0500_127782_OBS_AIDS_TRIAL_TURNS_DEADLY.asp