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Basic research in Italy is likely to disappear

As many know, scientific research is divided into two categories, both important applied research and basic research. That was applied as the primary end use of knowledge for practical purposes. An example known applied research in bio-medical field is given by the case studies for the treatment of cancer and hereditary diseases, which although necessary, unfortunately, not lavish immediate remedies. In contrast, basic research, also called pure, aims the advancement of knowledge and clarification of certain physical, chemical, biological. It is an exploratory analysis, intellectual adventure, conducted without obvious practical purposes. An activity that brings ideas, culture, intangible products, useless to those who consider only the immediate ability to generate cash and profits.

But the history of science teaches that it is the basic research the real engine of progress in science and technology. In recent decades, for example, the most significant results obtained in the field of genetics, not resulting from applied studies, but from basic research on seemingly bizarre phenomena, carried out in suitable "model systems", organisms with biological properties particularly suited to experimental studies. Two cases out of all: the Nobel Prize in Medicine and Biology awarded in 1995 to Ed Lewis, Eric Wieschaus and Christiane Nüsslein for the discovery of developmental genes in Drosophila melanogaster, the fruit fly, and in 2006 to Andrew Fire and Craig Mello for the discovery of a system that "turns off" genes in Caenorhabditis elegans, a small worms. Two studies that have produced a number of revolutions in field of biology.

fundamental research conducted on flies and worms? Yes, because there is no relationship between the relevance and impact of a scientific problem or the complexity of a biological system and the size of the model organism that is used, otherwise we should study biology only whales or elephant. These findings have led to the development of new and innovative approaches used in the medical and teaching and research should not be addressed, as some would like, but let loose. So why is this chronic myopia of governments, industries and private foundations that fail basic research in favor of one applied? I would love to be proven wrong, but for now I do not see positive signs from the Government and Tremonti "Scissorhands". And if Telethon, AIRC, and other foundations you put a hand on your heart and thus begin the calls also dedicated to the financing of basic research?