The cancer Geneticist Prof. Antonio Giordano, President of the Sbarro Health Research Organization (SHRO) and professor at Temple University's College of Science and Technology, an Italian brain transplanted to the U.S. for years, speaks from Pennsylvania, a key 'swing state'. "A strong commitment to research is crucial."
The latest U.S. elections have sparked a debate about an essential aspect of democracy: the alternation of power. More than ever, it is clear that without it, the democratic system can slow down or even stalling. The change of power represents the essential cornerstone of a system that draws its strength from its ability to adapt and renew itself. Alternation injects new energy and ideas into the process. With the election of President Donald Trump, attention to strengthening the American economy and national security has become central, but there is another crucial dimension deserving equal commitment: scientific research.
This is the hope expressed to Adnkronos Salute by Prof. Giordano.
"Increasing government spending on science and innovation in the pharmaceutical and healthcare fields is an essential investment for addressing healthcare challenges that, today more than ever, impact the quality of life and economic growth of the country." The expert is not pessimistic about the prospects that open up under the new Trump administration. Under his presidency, he recalls, "In 2018, we enjoyed one of the largest investments in research. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) received 3 billion dollars," and there were "also increases for other research agencies.
The pharmaceutical industry, along with the biomedical sector, stands to benefit greatly from strategic public support, as Giordano explains. "Progress in research not only leads to the discovery of new therapies and vaccines, but also contributes to reducing long-term costs for the healthcare system. Look at the Covid-19 pandemic: the speed of vaccine development demonstrated the potential of strong and well-funded scientific research. Increased public spending, combined with partnerships with the private sector, can create a positive impact both nationally and internationally, helping controlling chronic diseases and manage future health emergencies.
Briefly, "To support innovation and guarantee a healthy future for the population," Giordano asserts, "it is crucial that the American Government increases funding for research programs.
The SHRO Institute in Philadelphia, continues the scientist, "is committed to the development of advanced therapies, and our progress shows that where there is solid economic and infrastructural support, results can come quickly. With an increase in spending, we could accelerate the development of treatments that can improve citizens' quality of life and reduce pressure on health facilities. Additionally, investments in science create skilled jobs, enhancing the country’s competitiveness on a global scale.
Giordano believes Trump's election "represents a unique opportunity for a new direction supporting the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. With a policy of incentives and increased funding for research, America can consolidate its role as a global leader in health and well-being. A safer, healthier, and more prosperous future comes from science: investing today to safeguard tomorrow is an imperative that no country can ignore.
Ultimately, for the scientist, good things can come from alternation in power. This election has been complex, he observes. "The electorate is divided, torn by years of internal conflicts, and politics now seems more like a gladiatorial arena than a forum for dialogue and constructive debate. However, this very situation highlights how alternation is not just a formal principle, but a real necessity to prevent power from turning into privilege, and to ensure that institutions created to represent everyone do not become tools for the few. It is a mistake to think that stability is guaranteed by the continuity of the same group in charge. True stability is built on the ability to pass the baton, to accept change as part of the democratic process.
"Without alternation," Giordano concludes, "there would be no room for minorities, nor for dissent, and the system would stagnate in a static and opaque form of self-preservation. American democracy, with all its contradictions, is renewed thanks to the possibility of alternation, which allows citizens to believe that their voice truly counts." The hope is that "this awareness does not remain only in post-election comments, but becomes a constant in how politics and citizens themselves approach their democratic future.
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