Iran Political Demon but Scientific Partner?
Iran is a name in the United States that solicits different reactions. Host of terrorism, enemy of Israel but did you know Iran was a large United States Partner in science?
Iran’s scientific output was reported in 2011 by New Scientist to be the fastest in the world over the last four decades. Collaboration and globalization of science is a thorough practice. Iranians have an established history of welcoming scientists from all over the world to Iran. Often people participate in seminars, scientific associations, or collaborations.
Nobel laureates and influential scientists such as Bruce Alberts, F. Sherwood Rowland, Kurt Wüthrich, Stephen Hawking, and Pierre-Gilles de Gennes visited Iran before and after the Iranian revolution. In the past universities invited, promoted and welcomed American (and European) scientists to lecturer.
Sanctions have caused a shift in Iran’s trading partners from West to East. What has not shifted is scientific collaboration.
The focus of scientific collaboration to present day remains a West dominated relationship. Over the past twenty years Iran’s top partners for scientific collaboration were: 1) United States, 2) Canada, 3) United Kingdom and 4) Germany. Iranian and American scientists have coauthored thousands of articles in scientific publications.
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have advanced these efforts with significant involvement. These organizations fostered formal and informal exchange of scientists, clinicians, bioethicists, and others. The results of collaborative research contributed to important gains in knowledge for a range of medical and health conditions.
The scientific output from Iran collaboration has jumped from 736 published papers in 1996 to 13,238. This is a sizable increase. The collaboration papers have increased from a quarter of all papers to one third of all papers published in the scientific community. According to Iranian data published by Iran’s Vice President of Science & Technology Iran ranked 20th in the world for stem cell sciences and regenerative medicine. These areas included: cell therapy, gene therapy, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, tissue engineering and biomaterials.
According to the reputable source of Researchgate (a scientific Linkedin) Iran was the 10th country to successfully isolated human ESCs and the 5th country to reprogram human skin cells to embryonic-like states.
Many people do not realize that Medical research is largely exempt from United States sanctions. Many do not recognize that Medical Research is a neutral ground that solicits humanitarian exemptions. Seeking out the best and brightest for mutual human welfare is considered a human right. The inhibition to bar this field means ripe opportunity in medical research & development. While United States sanctions dictate caution, collaboration with scientists who publish meaningful scientific research is not off limits. The opposite applies.
Science has only one pursuit. Truth. The origination source of science is irrelevant in many cases. The ability to ascertain opportunity for new medical developments comes with open mind. Locating sound science that improves human welfare is the one area exempt from political turmoil. Arguably the most stable pursuit (from a political standpoint) is one rooted in medical research.
Who would have guessed a media demon could play such an important role in our medical advances? I suppose it begs reconsideration on its scientific people. Perhaps we should view scientist differently and publish news accordingly.
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To your knowledge success!
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About Christopher: Christopher Knight Lopez is a Professional Entrepreneur. Christopher has opened over 7 businesses in his 14-year career. Christopher’s purpose is to take advantage of various market-driven opportunities. Christopher is a certified Master Project Manager (MPM) and Accredited Financial Analyst (AFA). Christopher previously held his Series 65 securities license. Christopher also has his General Lines — Life, Accident, Health & HMO. Christopher has managed a combined 286mm USD in reported Assets Under Management & Assets Under Advisement. Christopher has work experience in 29 countries, raised over 50mm USD for various businesses, and grossed over 7.5mm in his personal career. Christopher worked in the highly technical industries of: biotechnology, finance, securities, manufacturing, real estate, and residential mortgages. Christopher is a United States Air Force Veteran. Christopher has a passion for family, competitive sports, fishing, martial arts and advocacy for entrepreneurs. Christopher provides self-help classes for up-and-coming entrepreneurs. Christopher’s passion to mentor comes from belief that entrepreneurs need guidance. The world is full of conflicting information about entrepreneur identity. See more at www.christopherklopez.com.
