COMMONWEALTH CAN HELP DEVELOPING COUNTRIES ACCESS SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY USAGE

KUCHING (Malaysia), March 9 (Bernama) -- The Commonwealth can play a role in
helping developing countries to access the use of science and technology for the
good of society and development, through partnerships, its Secretary-General,
Kamalesh Sharma, said Tuesday.

He said it was clear that one of the biggest services that science and
technology
could render to humanity would be in providing the environmental solutions which
the world so actively sought.

"Recent medical advances have allowed us to understand and tackle the
world’s greatest health challenges, for instance, with new pharmaceuticals,
genetic analysis, bio-technology, diagnostics and advanced treatments," he said
in his message in conjunction with Commonwealth Day Monday.

His statement issued by the United Kingdom-based Commonwealth secretariat
was e-mailed to Bernama Tuesday.

He said tht apart from forging partnerships and networks, discussion on the
possibilities of science and technology needed to be held as much in
universities, laboratories and government offices, as in homes, schools, and in
the media.

"Society will benefit fully where all people, including the vulnerable and
those on the margins, are involved in public discussion and its outcomes because
technological progress has changed the way that we provide information and
education, and conduct business," he said.


Other advances had allowed improvement to be made in the quality and
quantity of food while new solar, wind and other technologies allowed
carbon-neutral energy to be used, he added.

However, he said, some of the new technologies that were introduced as
the consequences of progress later presented safety and environmental concerns
while others had raised moral and ethical questions.

"New ideas and inventions sometimes challenge established values and ways.
Questions arise about whether a new technology, for instance, takes a step too
far in terms of civil liberties, or if it has other social consequences."

He said it was well recognised that science and technology were integral to
mankind's future as a global community and in the Commonwealth, great emphasis
was placed on ensuring that progress embraced all.

-- BERNAMA