The failed election of Mariano Rajoy as President of the Government has turned the 150 points agreed with Ciudadanos into empty promises and it marked a very specific path to that Government that, in the end, has not been. The implications of all this, both politically, economically and socially, have already been sufficiently analyzed in thousands of political gatherings in all the media. But there is a very important point that has gone unnoticed: the commitment to science as a driver of change in the economic model.
The proverb says that it is no use crying over spilled milk. I think it is important to highlight that, finally, attention has been paid to science as a generator of wealth and progress for citizens.
The document incorporated a declaration of intent that, I believe, should be signed by all political parties and by citizens in general: “We are committed to innovation and science for the transformation of our production model. We want to create the appropriate institutional environment that eliminates barriers to entrepreneurship and favours the generation of innovative projects and the attraction of talent; as well as establishing an R&D model that adequately recognizes the work of researchers, so that all their efforts are rewarded, which brings useful results for our productive fabric (…)”.
Finally, the conviction seems to have penetrated among our politicians that only through science can a productive fabric of added value be created and that it gives stability to our economy and turns it into a cutting-edge country.
The document agreed between PP and Ciudadanos includes a series of ideas aimed at promoting public and private investment in R&D, it even talks about the commitment to reach 2% of GDP in total investment, which would place us in a position similar to the rest of our European neighbors. But the most important thing are two aspects usually forgotten in relation to research: on the one hand, the document proposes, in point 23, to create the Cervera Technology Transfer Network and, on the other, in point 26, it proposes reviewing the Cervera Technology Transfer compensation of researchers’ policy (crucial aspect for true take-off as a knowledge-based economy).
The possibility of transforming a scientific finding into a product or service that helps compensate for a need in society is vital to having a science that truly serves to change the world and contribute to social progress. We must put an end to the idea of science as an expense and focus on science as an investment. Investing in science should not serve to cleanse the conscience and fill the drawers of the study and research laboratories. Investing in science must serve so that society can later have access to that discovery, to that new service that will improve the quality of life of citizens. Investing in science must mean a return of economic profitability, of course, but also social and progress. Hence the importance of these entities in charge of transforming the scientific discovery into a product, in the appropriate design of patents, in the creation of the appropriate business structure to develop the product or provide the service…
We must put an end to the idea of science as an expense and focus on science as an investment. Investing in science should not serve to cleanse the conscience and fill the drawers of the study and research laboratories. Investing in science must serve so that society can later have access to that discovery, to that new service that will improve the quality of life of citizens. Investing in science must mean a return of economic profitability, of course, but also social and progress. Hence the importance of these entities in charge of transforming the scientific discovery into a product, in the appropriate design of patents, in the creation of the appropriate business structure to develop the product or provide the service…
And hence the importance of reviewing the compensation policy for researchers as stated in point 26 of the document. In Spain, unlike what happens in Anglo-Saxon countries, researchers find it more difficult to obtain economic profitability from their patents. This lack of incentives causes a large amount of research but a chronic deficit of quality patents. The point introduced in the political document speaks of 50% of the income generated by the patent going to the researcher. Something is something. The important thing is to break the current situation and allow our scientists to earn a good living without depending on a public salary or even to become rich if they make a really important discovery. This will encourage the commitment to science, the brain drain will be avoided and the country in general will take advantage of a new economy with a greater scientific component and the generation of products with added value.
A pity that everything has come to nothing. Let us hope in any case that this represents a point of no return and is taken up by the next Government. Whenever it is and whatever color it is. Our future depends on it.
Manuel Fuertes is CEO of Kiatt and expert in scientifically based business investments
