Crank up the wheels of our S&T sector

THERE seems to be too much on Pakatan Harapan’s plate – as there are many matters that are not readily getting the coalition’s attention. One of the prime minister’s favourite subjects – Science & Technology – too, seems to be lying lifeless in the back burner. It has been ten months since the Pakatan Harapan pact took over the administration of the country, but very little has been spoken by the powers that be on steps to reform the science and technology sector (S&T).

In Australia there is a regular Science Meet Parliament session, running into its 20th year. Last year the Canadian Parliament launched its pilot Science Meet Parliament session modelled after the Australian initiative. Can we have a “Science Meet Parliament” slot also in our august House?

Wrong move

I would also like to point out that the  “relocation” of the Malaysian Bioeconomy Corporation (BioeconomyCorp) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Agrobased Industry (MOA) is a glaring mistake. It is mind-boggling how this decision was made in the first place.

The National Biotechnology Policy is under the Ministry of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change (MESTECC) but now the implementation agency is under MOA.

The biggest GDP generator is Biocon and it comes under the medical biotechnology thrust. The number of agriculture based BioNexus companies might be in the majority but what is the percentage of their GDP? How many of them are real biotechnology companies? Most research institutes related to biotechnology are under MESTECC and research collaboration between BioNexus companies and research institutes is one of the key criteria under the Policy.

It is indeed sad that the agency that was poised to bring Malaysia into the global biotech map is now reduced to selling vegetables and planting trees in schools. Millions of ringgit was ploughed into this agency. Where is the return of investment? I sincerely hope the prime minister will set some of his precious time to look into this.

If MESTECC is too big to give equal attention to S&T, it is time to place S&T under another ministry – possibly higher education and S&T together, so that research and S&T can be monitored seamlessly. With over 20 universities offering bio-based degrees and post graduate programmes, the government will only do justice to these aspiring graduates if it embarks on an S&T reform mission.

Action Council for S&T?

The Economic Action Council was recently announced. Will there also be a Council on S&T? Will knowledge-based economy, high income nation, IR 4.0, and bioeconomy just remain the politician’s rhetoric or a tangible vehicle to help propel the national economy? I am afraid, without a constellation of cutting-edge signature schemes by our policy makers and stakeholders, our S&T sector is quite unlikely to witness its Midas-touch era.

There are talks about brain drain all the time, but unless our S&T ecosystem is reformed, this long-drawn snafu might never find a neat solution, in fact more scientists might set their foot to foreign shores.

Science communication needs a local narrative

I AM pleased to announce that the Malaysian Biotechnology Information Centre (Mabic) and The Petri Dish have launched a home-grown science communication module to train local researchers and Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (Stem) practitioners.

For long we have been reliant on foreign experts in this area and it is time to change this. Science communication is a combination of art and science.

Approaches in science communication are driven by empirical findings about public perception, concerns, fear, knowledge and trust among others – but the delivery has to be laced with art and
creativity.

Due to the hybridisation narrative to ensure local sensitivities, culture, priorities, public perception, relevance and social norms are taken into account when developing and framing messages that are
intended for a broad-spectrum audience.

Basically, it is about reaching out both to the hearts and minds of the audience. It requires a delicate balance of logic, empathy, credibility as well as hard facts and figures.

Armed with years of experience in this field, we at Mabic and The Petri Dish felt the need for such a “narrative” which could help translate the intricate complexities of science and its jargon using art’s light and deft expressions.

In May last year, our team set off to Singapore to train a group of education researchers. Then we collaborated with University Malaya’s UMXccelerate (UMX) and trained a group of researchers and PhD students.

The outcome was so encouraging. None of them have written a popular science article before and I am so proud that their first attempt merits space in The Petri Dish.

Risk communication is a branch of science communication and we conducted a workshop for scientists and regulators handling GMOs and biosafety regulations.

This was organised by the Department of Biosafety under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

Our hope at The Petri Dish is to have a pool of scientists who are able to engage with Malaysian society to bring science home – to make it a part and parcel of the citizenry’s DNA.

Only when we achieve this, can the culture of innovation flourish and give rise to the creation of techno- and bioentrepreneurs in the country. I wouldn’t be exaggerating if I say, science communication is one of the key elements to take Stem off the ground; see more students in this area; better science policies and regulations and their implementation; and finally, the creation of jobs in these fields.

Am I singing the same old tune from the broken record? I sound like it. But I will continue to sing this song till science and society are intertwined in Malaysia, and till science becomes an inherent part of the Malaysian culture.

My dream is for all universities and research institutes to have trained science communicators to support scientists in their public engagement.

This position has to be entrenched into the system. That will be the day, when we can say we are serious about science enculturation.

Confessions of a rookie FB user

I wanted to be the last person standing on Planet Earth without a Facebook account.

 

But my email inbox was flooding with enquiries from students, parents and the general public - so I thought, well, an FB page will give me a breezier platform to entertain their queries when I am more relaxed and not on work mode.

 

So, two months ago I connected with the universal world fraternity on FB.

  

It has been a great platform for connecting with the people, inspiring them, and understanding their concerns in biotechnology education as well as discussing careers and vocations in the field of biotechnology – as well as to put a human face to my own profession and career.  

 

A greenhorn at FB skills, I am now learning the maneuvering and machinations of FB technology and am already enjoying the interaction and all the sharing of information and updates.

 

But there are moments of frustration as well. I get “likes” seconds after posting a video with a footage lasting four minutes.

 

This simply means that the video is “liked” even before it has been completely viewed – the tendency to “like” anything that is posted without understanding and appreciating the content.

 

The other frustration is when I get more “likes” for photos than information. Yes, I am not naïve. I know there is serious lack of hunger for knowledge out there, especially if it is science-related.

 

But I am not giving up. I know there are a few science fans who share my posts and send personal messages, appreciating the information.

 

I am going to keep pushing science/biotechnology to the public domain till it becomes a culture. This is my new “cyber boulevard” and it gives me the opportunity to have my fingers on the pulse of my audience.

 

And of course, it is important for me as a science communicator to understand what interests my audiences, their concerns and the best tool to reach them.

 

On a related subject, I was introduced to a techie lecturer in UPM who uses latest IT gadgets and apps to teach microbiology. Look her up on page 11, October issue of The Petri Dish. We need more Dr Wans at universities and schools to inspire our students in science and appreciate science & technology.

By Dr Mahaletchumy Arujanan

 

Farewell to the ‘Missile Man of India’

quotesandmessages.com

This is one man I really was hoping I could meet one day in person. The late Dr APJ Abdul Kalam is the pride of every Indian.

He was an Indian by citizen, a Tamil by mother tongue, and a Muslim by religion - a perfect amalgam that united India.

I don’t know any other living scientist who is so accomplished in his field while being a poet, philosopher, held the presidency of a country and a mentor and inspiration of every youth in his country.

He is one of the most respected rocket scientists in the world and played a pivotal role in advancing India’s nuclear research and programmes.

The Petri Dish editorial team strongly felt that his story should get a mention in the front page. This is the least we could do as a science newspaper.

Born into a fisherman family in Tamil Nadu, he went on to study aeronautics, earning all his degrees in India but becoming a world class scientist.

He is known for his simple lifestyle and down-to-earth personality. His legacy will stay forever, perhaps just like Mahatma Gandhi.

Using his space technology, Kalam designed prosthesis limb weighing just 400 grams which increased the mobility of  disabled children tremendously. And Kalam was said to have cherished it more than launching rockets.

When he left Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official residence of  Indian President after five glorious years of being the president of India, all he had to vacate was a large collection of books and two bags with his personal belongings. He did not acquire assets during his presidency. All he acquired was the hearts of Indian.

By Dr Mahaletchumy Arujanan

NOT AS INFLUENTIAL YET…..

I was not blogging for a while because I was/am basking in stardust for a while now, so to speak. Never in my wildest dream had I thought I will go viral on social media. After all, who even takes a second look at someone who is involved in science? But things took a complete twist when the news broke that I am listed by Scientific American Worldview as one of the 100 most influential people on biotech in the world.

Although I knew about this about three months ago, it did not occur to me that it will make news outside the scientific community.

While waiting to collect my bags at the airport, I was approached by a young man who showed the news from his mobile phone and congratulated me.

The week that followed was completely out of my control. A number of journalists from print, television and on line media wanted an interview with me. It wasn’t in my wildest dream that I will get that much attention being in the scientific field. While it was quite daunting and stressful, I was advised by some close friends to make use of this situation to inspire young people to excel.

Then I realised that I did not only make news among the media and public but also those in the corridors of power.  Deputy Minister for Education II, P. Kamalanathan called to congratulate and even tweeted about me. Then the Special Advisor to Prime Minister on Women Entrepreneurs and Professional Development, Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil sent a congratulatory letter.

I know my celebrity life will not last as the news has its life-span but my aspiration to communicate biotech around the world and to create an enabling ecosystem is now further boosted.

While all this is flattering (and exhausting), what is it that will really make me happy? Here is a list:

1. A clear research direction for our country, with long-term goals and thorough follow ups till we achieve the goals. And the goals must be market-driven to solve our local problems in agriculture,  medical and public health (i.e. dengue), and environmental issues etc. No more megaprojects, please.

2. Strong focus and emphasis on basis research. Does this contradict my first point? Not at all. Without basic research, we can never get into commercialisation, unless we want to keep borrowing technology from outside. Every product we use today stems out from basic research. Looks like we are losing our appetite for basic research and keen to make some quick buck.

3.  Elevating our education system, quality of our teachers and pedagogy. Instilling critical thinking instead of rote learning in our schools.

4.  Putting the right persons to helm major institutions and agencies, truly based on merit.

5.  Divorce science from politics. These should no political appointments. Projects should be approved based on need and not to gain political mileage.

If I can be a change agent for the above and successfully influence the government, then I declare myself as the most influential person in SCIENCE in Malaysia. I pray for patience in my endeavours…

By Dr Mahaletchumy Arujanan

Correlation between Autism and GMOs

The increase in the number of autism cases has been correlated to genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and vaccines for long. While it is true autism cases has been in the rise in the past few decades, the spurious correlation to vaccines and GMOs does not hold any water or stand the security of science.

Arvind Suresh in an article written for Genetic Literacy Project says that researchers now believe that nothing is causing the rise of this disorder. It is merely a statistical mirage. Compared to about one out of every 2000 children who had autism in 1970s and 80s, the figure has skyrocketed to one in 150 among 8-year-olds in the USA, according to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.

For the critics of GMOs and vaccination, it is a mighty easy task to speculate and do some armchair research – correlate the increase in vaccination and increase in the adoption of GM crops to the increase in autism cases over the years and drive home the point that autism is caused by GMOs and vaccination. Bear in mind the advocate for anti-vaccination, Jenny McCarthy proudly said in an Oprah interview, “The University of Google is where I got my degree from”.

If you want to have fun with statistics where one can correlate anything with similar trends and jump into a conclusion, visit this page: http://www.tylervigen.com/ . Here you will see real spurious statistics – among others, age of Miss America correlates with murder by steam, hot vapours and hot objects, US crude oil imports from Norway correlates with drivers killed in collision with railway train, and number of people drowned by falling into a swimming pool (USA) correlates to number of films Nicolas cage appeared in.

If one were to do the same standard to research done by critics of GMOs and the pseudoscience, then increase in autism could also be correlated to increase in organic food sales – see figure below.

So why the increase? In fact evidence show that there is no dramatic increase in autism after all. 

The apparent increase is due to changes in the diagnostic criteria, increased screening and awareness of this disorder. Forbes reported that:

The way autism is defined in the U.S. has changed dramatically since 1980, when it first appeared in the DSM-III (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) as “Infantile Autism” and could only be diagnosed in children whose symptoms began before they were three years old. Autism spectrum disorders have expanded to include diagnosis without a specific age requirement beyond the “early developmental period” and without requiring significant language impairment in the recently revised DSM-5.

The vast majority of people diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders today would never have qualified under the 1980 classification, and no formal classification separate from schizophrenia existed before then. So it’s not surprising that numbers have increased in the U.S.

The definition of ASD has also been expanded to include a collection of brain development disorders such as Asperger’s syndrome. For example, Denmark expanded its diagnostic criteria in 1994.

Not only the diagnostic criteria was widened, the national data tracking in Denmark began to include diagnosis made from outpatient patient visits rather than just diagnosis of those admitted to a healthcare facility. This happened in every country where autism cases were soaring.

A paper published in JAMA Pediatrics (2015 Jan 1;169(1):56-62) concludes that the change in diagnostic criteria taken together along with the diagnoses made outside of a healthcare facility accounted for as much as 60 per cent of the increase in prevalence of autism spectrum disorders.

It is important to understand that with early screening programmes introduced by governments and newer diagnostic techniques coming into play, there will be a prevalence of certain diseases. The same case can also be argued for increase in certain types of cancers.

Whatever, it is cherry picking of data should be stopped and the public must be equipped with some knowledge to discriminate against pseudoscience. 

By Dr Mahaletchumy Arujanan