At a recent conference, there was a debate on whether young scientists who leave their countries to study should be compelled to return. One scientist insist that since scientific discoveries are tied to national development scientists are obliged to return and help develop their nations. The other argument say that science has no boundaries and that scientific discoveries makes the whole world a better place. Besides one should be encouraged to pursue ones dream to its logical conclusion. What do you think?
“If science has no country, the scientist should have one, and ascribe to it the influence which his works may have in this world”.
Louis Pasteur
Hi!
Though both arguments are good, the first one seems to be prejudiced mind
Let him/she be from any place when they contribute for some scientific achievement ultimately that credit goes to so and so and they are from so and so country. Whole World get benefit out of that. If science has boundaries, we would not have been like this. I can not, even imagine science having boundaries. Alas!
I think this question sort of depends on whether or not there are opportunities to do the science that one wants to do in the home country. There are sometimes places that focus research on certain areas of excellence and if that is your scientific interest, you may be forced to go there to pursue your studies because the infrastructure and resources needed to do the work are available there. There is a lack of science funding in some countries, so if that is your talent, you must go elsewhere. Where the funding and resources are to do the work, you will find the talented scientists. It's also often better in a team because you can assemble different skill sets, even though the individual could be successful working in isolation, it's less likely one will be successful in isolation.
Hi daniel,
I do not know exactly the circumstances around your question. In science, reading your words, I guess that your scientific career is importart, and your country will managed without your presence or return in a particular date. You can help your country living abroad and working abroad. I do not like to establish limits, but keep in mind that the ends do not justify the means, even in science.
When science is reduced to a patriotic gesture, it often shades the grains of advancement in the said field. Often times young scientist a plagued by the requirement to return to their home countries which usually do not have the resources to further advance the idea which was birthed in their study abroad. However, this cannot be generalized across all scientific disciplines. In my particular area of study returning to my country will be of great importance in contributing not only to environmental toxicology but also the development of my country. I believe it all goes back to how you define scientific advancement, to me it is when science moves from the lab to the society.
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