I don’t know if Italian scientists use “pharmacogenomics” but “farmacogenomica” exists as a word in Italian. It’s not really an English word after all, just a composite Greek one pronounced in English.

Farmakoġenomika

That is why I have never had any ambitions to enter the world of politics :) My biggest problem is that I was born an idealist and most probably shall die as one!

As for pharmacogenomics in Maltese – taking that the French have translated it to pharmacogénomique, the Germans to Pharmakogenomics and the Italians left it as pharmacogenomics, it might be possible to write as “farmakogenomiks” – though I would shudder to use such a word – so in my case I would rather leave it as the English equivalent. (Basically this is akin to changing certain medical terms from English to Maltese without sounding rude)

@ Corinne Vella

I beg your pardon for above quoted can only be your unfortunately totally warped interpretation. As your good self remarks in a better sense, research should (indeed) be seen as an investment.

To begin with, my sincere congratulations for your successful personal endeavours. To conclude, please tell me how Lawrence Gonzi, Paul Borg Oliver, Joseph Love Muscat, Josie Muscat and other so-called politicians can win elections by telling the electorate that taxes have to be increased so that Malta will have a competitive edge in pharmacogenomics.

p.s. What is the Maltese word for pharmacogenomics?

Granted that there are different systems in different countries and as Antoine has said none are perfect.

As for the cash, those that know me, are aware that I have always advocating the fact that we have to pay for what we ask for – nothing is free. So yes, if need be, we need to set aside part of our tax money (increase it if need be) so as to be able to compete in the new world economy of science and research. Our only hope to compete with “cheaper” countries is to nurture innovation, research and development. This does nto come cheap, but no investment is cheap.

At the moment, the government is investing heavily in Tertiary students (including their stipends), only for the best to end up poached by foreign Universities (good for them, bad for the country as a whole). I have personal experience with a number of Ph.D. graduates from our lab, that have taken up positions in Canada, US, UK, Netherlands, Germany and Japan. Thus in effect the government is investing in a foreign country’s economy and not ours!

Yes Malta is diminutive but within the scientific community we have considerable respect. Just to give you an example, I have just been in La Coruna Spain where I was one of the main speakers in an International Pharmacogenomics conference, where my presentation on the competitive edge that a small island state like Malta has over larger countries stirred quite an interest. Malta offers unique opportunities (short travel distance, central hospital, large family structures, common important chronic diseases, a population that is ready to take part in research and the relatively low cost of its researchers) that with the RIGHT TYPE of LOBBYING and SUPPORT, can produce an interesting niche area.

Unfortunately both the lobbying and the support are missing – together with the right amount of collaboration between us scientist. Added to this one finds the bureaucratic load of certain government departments are an added burden that is slowly but surely sinking any personal initiatives.

I have noted, with due attention, your contribution, which, unfortunately, does not really impress me.

You have my gratitude for providing a qualified answer.

My own personal experience is based on a system, in which “third party” funding is not used to augment the basic salary of full-time (permanent) university staff. “Third party” funding is used for what you call “consumables”, for meetings (and necessary travel) and for extra research staff. A permanent university staff member usually has a “life-contract”, which per se includes research obligations.

You might already have read that I agreed with Corinne Vella that a researcher’s salary be invoiced to research costs but, from the learned way in which you write, I surmise that you also know the administrative parameters affecting contract and salary, especially with respect to income tax issues and the possible role of the T.C.U.

Finally, in your notable answer, I personally miss the source of the cash, which you would wish government to put where government’s mouth is.

Christian, in life, one has to be real. Fact is that Malta is diminutive in size, with limited resources inclusive of EU membership, and hence Malta cannot accomodate legions of academics, who are reluctant to seek new pastures to follow their (vocational) research.