–
–
The Spanish Association for Cancer Research (ASEICA) has indicated that “it is appreciated at least that, at last, the Government recognizes the existing problem that affects our research system. Hopefully this will mark a change in trend that will materialize in tangible and sustained measures over time. ”
These are the words of the president of ASEICA, Xosé Bustelo, which has thus referred to the shock plan for science and innovation presented last week by the Government. “It is a plan that highlights areas of light and shadow, with unclear aspects that remains to be seen how they will materialize,” he warns.
As for the lights, historical claims of Aseica are collected such as betting on personalized and genomic medicine, clinical trials initiated by researchers and personalized therapies. “Although funding is still unrealistic for the optimal implementation of these policies, it is at least a step in the right direction.Bustelo points out.
–
Aseica’s historical claim to invest in talent recruitment (Spanish and foreign). The increase in items at this point, close to 30 percent, is very positive. “We also see as positive that investments are made in expired infrastructures of ISCIII, INIA and other centers”, highlights Xosé Bustelo.
However, the Plan has many shadows. In this sense, Aseica expresses its disappointment at measures aimed at funding research groups, “Far below our previous demands”, according to the president. The fact that the document itself indicates that with these measures the financing of the years 2010-2011 is achieved emphasizes the timidity of these announced measures.
“We continue to lose precious time in recovering the competitive capacity of the system. We are improving, yes, but we are still 10 years behind. The 50 million dedicated to this for the AEI and the ISCIII are far from what is necessary to make a significant change to our system, ”says Bustelo.
It is also not collected no measure to mitigate the negative effects of the change in the schedule of projects of the State Research Agency (AEI). “Curiously, this problem is recognized in the case of the Severo Ochoa and Maria de Maeztu programs. Without these measures, the increase in announced financing (14 percent each year) will be eliminated by the 8-month loss of financing caused by the above schedule, ”regrets Dr. Bustelo.
“Nothing is indicated about organizational changes and autonomy of the AEI (eg, multi-year budgets). We recognize, however, that this may not be the appropriate initiative to materialize those changes that have been demanded by Aseica for a long time, ”according to the president of ASEICA.
For Aseica, the Continuous plan with previous vices: items intended for credits and others that are probably covert financing to companies (automotive and aeronautics).
In addition, the Association stresses that it continues with the policy of “not today, better tomorrow”, betting on a financing of the European recovery program that are neither defined in economic terms nor of objectives to improve the situation in the near future.
In this sense, Cancer researchers indicate that legislative measures have been announced on scientific personnel policy that will have to be seen how they materialize. There is also talk of establishing tenure track models. “These already existed in Spain before (Ramón y Cajal, Miguel Servet). We will have to see how they materialize. In our opinion, they would be lame if they are not accompanied by “start up” packages so that they can start their research groups without financial obstacles, “according to Bustelo.
In short, he is leaving “in the right direction, albeit with a mix of successful measures, others still poorly defined and some disappointing. We will have to continue working to get the solutions we need in the near future, “concludes the association’s president.
