The scientific knowledge dissemination must start at school, with a training that awakens critical thinking. PHOTO: Manuel Castells

"The knowledge dissemination should start at school, so that students are familiar with scientific information and develop their critical thinking". This was stated at the University of Navarra by César Nombela, Full Professor of Microbiology and former president of the committee Superior de research Científicas (CSIC). The expert, who gave a speech at lecture in framework of the 2009 Science Weeks, stressed the need to develop this critical capacity, "because it is easy for scientific fact to be distorted for ideological reasons or other spurious interests".

He also called for a greater presence of science in the media and a greater commitment of scientists to communication. "Society needs this effort to make known the full scope of science and technology in an accessible language.

César Nombela, who spoke at his discussion paper on "Biology and biotechnology: half a century of scientific advances in an ethical perspective", stressed the need to "impose a bioethical deliberation to judge the morality of scientific interventions, with respect for human dignity as the fundamental reference letter ". According to him, "the ethical references are clear; and the important thing, in bioethical discernment, is to start with a rigorous evaluation of the scientific proposals".

Investment in Science and Influenza A

Regarding Spain's investment in science, he said that we still have a long way to go. "We have to continue conquering positions in the European Union, collaborating in the training of an adequate space for the knowledge society, at least at the level of the USA". In this sense, he assured that the economic crisis must represent a circumstance to reinforce the task of creating knowledge.

The Full Professor in Microbiology also referred to Influenza A. "Despite the serious and fatal cases and the fact that the virus is highly contagious, it is even less virulent than seasonal influenza virus strains. As a result, the population, which was initially very fearful, seems to have lost its fear, which is also the case with some healthcare professionals," he pointed out.

However, for this expert, vaccination as a preventive option is still the best. "The risk should be assessed in each case, with the physician in primary or specialized care. When in doubt, in people with risk factors that may be exposed to infection, the best thing to do is to get vaccinated," he concluded.

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