Two EMBL scientists are in a boat on an African river, one of them
22 May 2003
Emmanuel Reynaud and Jez Simpson, EMBL Heidelberg, Germany
Should scientists limit themselves to their laboratory and little circle of expertise, or can life outside be as rewarding as the one in the Life Sciences? Taking as a starting point a personal experience of two EMBL scientists driving through Africa to set up a health centre for 35,000 people, we will present and discuss the questions and problems encountered along the way. Scientists are often considered too inward looking, but why can't they utilise their skills for humanitarian action, and help solve larger problems than those encountered every day at the bench? Indeed are scientists capable of seeing beyond their expert knowledge and are they able to adapt this to unfamiliar situations? So, what can a molecular biologist do without restriction enzymes, pipettes and more critically running water? Knowledge is not only what you use on a daily basis in your scientific life but is the result of many years of schooling, and its true value can be easily underestimated – indeed many African societies have never had such privileges. Problems relating to running water for example, can often be solved by more than one solution, and therefore an adaptable scientist has the potential to unlock a number of problems for any given community. Moreover, encountering other countries, societies and mentalities in turn rewards the scientist, allowing these experiences to enhance his own scientific life. This talk will be presented as an open seminar allowing discussion and questions to share experiences and opinions.