Challenges Facing Scientific Research in Developing Countries: 2. Environment and Resources

In a previous “Opinion”, I attempted to define problems facing scientific research in developing countries related to the “Human Factor”; scientists who are entrusted with the effort of propelling the research forward, intellectually and physically [1]. I referred to the lack of proficiency in the English language by many scientists resulting in a limited effective contact with scientists from the developed world, problems with plagiarism and career stagnation issues. In this “Opinion”, I will attempt to dissect potential problems related to the physical environment surrounding scientific research in developing countries, including resources necessary for its success. Research laboratories in developing countries lack not only modern equipment, but may even lack functional equipment. While the high cost of modern equipment presents an obstacle in the way to acquire these equipment in developing countries, timely and professional servicing of mostly outdated equipment seems to be an impossible task. In this regards, awaiting a spare part from a foreign manufacturer or source may take months, which comes at the expense of research progress. Absence of skilled technicians is another dilemma that is frequently encountered in developing countries. Some research projects require kits, isotopes and/or fine chemicals; costly supplies that may not always be available locally. Although it may sometimes be possible to schedule one’s research to accommodate lengthy purchasing and shipping procedures as well as possible custom delays, short half-lives of some isotopes and instability of other products at ambient temperature make them absolutely out of reach of researchers in developing countries. This may very likely limit the scope and direction, and possibly success of certain research projects. As computers have become an integral part of any research laboratory in the developed countries, and as advances in computer technology makes it a necessity to upgrade existing computers every few years, it becomes difficult to see modern computers in laboratories in developing countries. The same applies to specialized software programs necessary for some research projects. Another dimension to the technology gap scientists in developing countries suffer from is the lack of availability of high-speed internet, assuming that dependable internet services are available at all. It is now paramount to have electronic access to databases, journals and books, to keep up with the latest developments in research around the world. Unreliable internet services obviously hinders one’s ability to keep up with such developments. Most scientists in the developing countries withwhom I communicate do not have email addresses affiliated with their place of work; they simply have public domain emails, sometimes with unprofessional users’ names. This confers a sense of a lack of professionalism in their communications with the outside world.