Scientific denial and rejection of life

History shows us that science is a powerful tool for creating knowledge. It helps us understand the world we live in and ourselves, as well as contribute to the development of a more just and democratic society.

As a response to the need to produce food for more than seven billion people in the world, technologies that ensure its preservation, distribution and safety are just one example of the importance of science for a better world.

The contribution of science in the field of human nutrition adds to its contribution to a better understanding of diseases and, therefore, to their reduction. These benefits have only been achieved through unprecedented knowledge of cellular, molecular and genetic mechanisms. This scenario led to the innovation of medicines and foods that contributed significantly to increasing life expectancy and quality.

In research activities, especially those developed at the university, along with solutions to problems, human resources are created that must be available for the development and promotion of research projects, the engine of science. Vaccines, known and universally used, that protect against polio, tetanus, whooping cough, measles, COVID-19 and many other diseases are an excellent example of the importance of scientific discoveries.

The establishment of this system of research, science and technology takes a long time and requires continuous and sufficient resources, along with stable policies, which – unfortunately – have not been established in Brazil.

Initiatives such as UNESCO Open Science, which promotes open access to scientific knowledge with the aim of sharing it worldwide for the benefit of science and society, are emerging today, and are relevant and worthy of support. Universities like USP are involved in this global movement with several initiatives.

It is important that society recognize this role of science, reject policies that threaten its development, and support and even demand public funding – sufficient and regular – for scientific research.

False news about food and health, based on general opinions rather than facts – and not always legitimate interests – is extremely harmful. It influences people’s decisions and practices, and reaches the most diverse social classes. In addition, they impede and delay the implementation of better public health and environmental policies, new technologies, and setbacks for progress already made, as is currently seen in moves against vaccination and the use of biotechnology in many countries. It is a scientific denial.

Some initiatives already underway prefer to discuss criteria for assessing the credibility of news or to identify credible sites, training and assistance to communication professionals. These are commendable initiatives, and they can be replicated in all cases that believe – as ILSI believes – in the importance of science in preserving and rehabilitating human life.

Denying science is basically the purest and simplest way to deny life.

What is energy security?

These are the measures adopted to avoid the shortage of energy supply, caused by factors such as water scarcity and even the difficulties inherent in the types of supply. Combined with these measures security is the availability of sufficient, quality and affordable energy.

What is the energy challenge?

According to the Institute for Advanced Study of the University of São Paulo, On your online portalquoting Thomas P. Johansson, “Energy challenges include providing energy services for the well-being of a growing world population, facilitating access to modern forms of energy that enable the poor to get out of this situation, and creating a reasonable level of energy security (affordable energy without dangerous interruptions) and mitigating climate change and its impacts.”

What are the upcoming energy security events?

The Energy Security Challenge is a free online event To be held on March 16, 2022, with transmissions via Youtube. On this occasion, qualified and well-known specialists in this sector will discuss the paths to be followed to ensure the provision of safe electrical energy.

The Society of Engineers Minas Gerais (SME) Is the organization organizing the event, co-edited by the newspaper Diário do Comércio – a newspaper in Minas Gerais that is almost a hundred years old and specializes in economics, management and business.

Click here and secure your place (for free).

Follow below Online event schedule “Energy Security Challenge”.