OUR modern society advances based on state-of-the-art equipment, services, medicine, food, innovation, industry, agriculture and such other technologies that speed up and improve human life. This is the reason why most countries of the world, like privately owned businesses and companies earmark a great deal of resources – financial, human, material – for research and development. Human life and the progress of communities rely heavily on the discoveries that result from research, and how these discoveries are put to best use to sustain development.
Scientific discoveries are primarily born from research and development. Our modern world was able to thrive and sustain its development course, thanks to the creativity and ingenuity of researchers and scientists who make our lives easier, faster, safer. Human civilization has been able to evolve and adapt to change because our curiosity of the world around us, our natural inclination to explore, moved inquisitive minds to delve into previously unknown realms and derive new ways to improve human life and processes.
Research and development play an indispensable part in almost every field of human endeavor. China, the world’s leading producer of rice, invests heavily on research and development to yield 6.5 metric tons per one hectare of rice field. More than allocating funds, China also pools scientists, agriculturists, and chemists, among others to maximize knowledge, skill, talent, time and energy for discovering breakthroughs on boosting crop production, developing resilient variants, and improving nutritional value.
In medicine, we owe much to the discoveries of Alexander Fleming, Marie Curie, Frederick Banting, and other scientists for discovering medicines and processes that avert disease. The discovery of penicillin, antibiotics, tissue culture, vaccines, and such other medical discoveries have been exceptional medical strides that have not only saved human lives, but more importantly, improved human resilience to illness and reduced vulnerability to death.
We give credit to research and development for the emergence of computer chips and artificial intelligence which have radically changed and revolutionized education, transportation, communication and governments all over the globe. In the Philippines, our lead agency in research and development is the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). Our scientists from the DOST devote time, talent and energy in helping improve our economy through the development of more sophisticated tools and highly efficient processes. For example, home grown bamboo is now being developed to be a source of fabric for various types of clothing, even including bullet-proof vests.
Research and development ensures that the world continues to adapt and evolve. Agencies, which are focused on science and technology, ought to be given the much needed support to keep abreast with world trends and discoveries. Filipino scientists, I would like to believe, are especially gifted with intelligence, skill, and passion to use and harness the power and potential of research and development in the Philippines – if only we can begin to recognize and appreciate the power of research and development in steering progress and success. (Sponsored Content)