Everything is politics. Especially when everything you try to do is hampered by stupid and/or abusive politics, such as the embargo.
You’re right that coming up with the drug is in itself commendable, but you’re wrong in implying that coming up with it while under the embargo doesn’t make it even MORE impressive.
They have a point though. Yes the embargo makes it more impressive, but also science is the best font of internationalism in the modern world. When the US and USSR were on the verge of killing everyone, our scientists were collaborating. Together we defeated polio, and along with everyone else we killed smallpox.
Science extends beyond borders even when governments try to force it not to. Framing it within national conflicts can take from the beauty and power of its refusal to submit to borders, nationalities, and anything else like that.
The nation of Cuba must be commended for their support of medical science even in the most adverse conditions. But the Cubans and Argentinians who did this did it as part of the internationalist scientific community, and that community is something we as a species should be supporting and cherishing.
Everything is politics. Especially when everything you try to do is hampered by stupid and/or abusive politics, such as the embargo.
You’re right that coming up with the drug is in itself commendable, but you’re wrong in implying that coming up with it while under the embargo doesn’t make it even MORE impressive.
They have a point though. Yes the embargo makes it more impressive, but also science is the best font of internationalism in the modern world. When the US and USSR were on the verge of killing everyone, our scientists were collaborating. Together we defeated polio, and along with everyone else we killed smallpox.
Science extends beyond borders even when governments try to force it not to. Framing it within national conflicts can take from the beauty and power of its refusal to submit to borders, nationalities, and anything else like that.
The nation of Cuba must be commended for their support of medical science even in the most adverse conditions. But the Cubans and Argentinians who did this did it as part of the internationalist scientific community, and that community is something we as a species should be supporting and cherishing.