Title: CHEMISTRY FOR A BETTER FUTURE: DOES IT NEED REPOSITIONING
1CHEMISTRY FOR A BETTER FUTURE DOES IT NEED
REPOSITIONING?
A Perspective on Asia
- Goverdhan Mehta
- Department of Organic Chemistry
- Indian Institute of Science
- Bangalore, INDIA
2- Structure of the presentation
- Obeisance- A celebration of chemistry
- Scoping Chemistry challenges responses
- Asymmetric world - basic paradigms
- Silver lining- chemistry in Asia
- Looking ahead.
tour de force of Chemical scenario
3Dedicated to Amedeo Carlo Avogadro
4Chemistry stirs extreme emotions.
If you are obliged to neglect anything, let it be
your chemistry. It is the least useful and the
least amusing to a country gentleman of all the
ordinary branches of science.
-Thomas Jefferson
I feel sorry for people who dont know anything
about chemistry. They are missing an important
source of happiness.
- Linus Pauling
5Chemistry- a tryst with destiny
Chemists are a strange class of mortals, impelled
by an almost maniacal impulse to seek their
pleasures amongst smoke and vapour, soot and
flames, poisons and poverty, yet amongst all
these evils I seem to live so sweetly that I
would rather die than change places with the King
of Persia.
- Johann Joachim Becher
6Chemistry is in Everything and
Everything is in Chemistry
An amazing science of familiar things
From grand mothers recipes to.. Sherlock
Holmes detective work to witchcraft and even
magic!
7Chemistry is in Everything and
Everything is in Chemistry
Chemistry is a utility science
8Chemistry is in Everything and
Everything is in Chemistry
Chemistry is a Core Science
9Chemistry is in Everything and
Everything is in Chemistry
Chemistry is an Integrative Science
10Chemistry is in Everything and
Everything is in Chemistry
Chemistry...is one of the broadest branches of
science, if for no other reason that, when we
think about it, everything is chemistry. -
Luciano Caglioti
Chemistry is a Synergy Science
11Chemistry is in Everything and
Everything is in Chemistry
A dynamic branch of science constantly evolving
Chemistry is a Synergy Science
12 Chemistry has changed life.
Let it be acknowledged, whoever we are, wherever
we live, whatever we do, chemistry is omni
present, improving our life and our world.
..chemistry is the window given to mankind to
glimpse into its material essence
A very proud record and brighter future ahead..
S. Shaik, Angew Chem. 2003
13- Chemistry an ever expanding canvas
- Materials to medicines
- Nanotechnology to sustainable energy
- Climate research to genetic modifications
- Growing and unmatched interdisciplinarity
14..no matter how the world evolves in the 21st
century, chemistry will always be at the centre
of human wellbeing, economic development and
sustainability of our planet.
But..
15Is chemistry at the cross roads?
- Is our identity at stake? Do we tend to define
ourselves narrowly despite the vast expanse of
the discipline? - Generally, chemists seem content in living from
publication to publication missing the big
picture? - Should chemistry be repositioned with respect to
other sciences? Do we need to cosmeticize our
discipline to amplify its intellectual appeal?
All science is either physics or stamp
collecting- Rutherford
Science that promotes intellectual polygamy and
promiscuity
Chemists are often accused of intellectual
conservatism
16Is chemistry at the cross roads?
- How to strengthen dynamic synergy between our
perpetual quest for new structures with
functions? - Are risk factors, the bête noire of chemistry,
being overplayed? - Despite risks, acceptance of nuclear energy
is resurfacing - How can chemistry retune/redeem societal esteem
commensurate with its contributions? Do we need
to communicate better? - Is it only an image problem?
17A Confounding Paradox
18Strange correlation between the prosperity of
society and disdain for chemistry
Curiously, in the poor and developing nations
chemistry does not evoke negative responses
it is still viewed as a science for human
good
19Scientific competitiveness and economic wealth
D. A. King, Nature, 430, 311, 2004
20How to champion the cause of chemistry?
- Revisit its intellectual landscape - promote
chemistry as a science for human wellbeing and
sustainable future. - Need icons - a la Feynman for modern physics,
Watson or Monod for modern biology or Medawar/
Pauling for science. - Interdisciplinarity vs identity. How much space
to yield? Are there lessons from nanoscience and
genomics?
21How to champion the cause of chemistry?
- Harness the full potential of the exceptional
interface between chemistry and industry.
(Liebigs model) - Project it as a discipline that equips one with
multiple skills, well suited for a range of
promising careers. - Chemistry - as a bridge to span the increasing
chasm between science and society
22Is Chemistry in the retreat?
- Many portends
- Departments are being shut down rechristened or
merged in desperation for survival era of
prefixes - Many research councils and funding agencies
removing the word chemistry as a section - Falling stature of chemistry seeking shelter
- Lack of interest among young mirroring the
trend in science - Near absence of a cohesive and influential voice
for the chemistry community and statesman
chemists
Let us reach out to society and project our
discipline as the fundamental science in the
quest for sustainability in the 21st century
23Looking Beyond discovery addressing human
needs and concerns
Grasping the international dimension
24(No Transcript)
25UNDERSTANDING A RESURGENT ASIA
- A dominant geographic entity, covering nearly
one-third (43,608,000 sq km) of the Earths land
mass. - Home to 61 (3.7 bn) of worlds population.
26UNDERSTANDING A RESURGENT ASIA
- Culturally, ethnically and linguistically
diverse. - Civilizational strengths dating back to around
5000 B.C. - Tradition of learning and scholarship.
- Ravaged in the recent past by colonization and
conflicts. - Galloping population and emerging markets.
- Resilient people adept at facing the core
challenges
A young continent with vibrant, ambitious
population - raring to go (cf. 54 of Indias
population is below the age of 30)
27Chemistry in Asia
- Science is becoming a world system
- Internationalization of Chemistry a reality
28A basic paradigm
World is asymmetric, not only in socio-economic
arena but more so in S T capacities
29Growing inequalities
A troubled world
30Galloping Consumption
A stressed planet
31A basic paradigm
World is asymmetric
- Chemistry and Asia are no exceptions
- Asymmetry among Asian and OECD countries
- Asymmetry between Asian countries
- Asymmetry within the Asian countries
GDP varies from 500 - 28,000 p.a Universities
per country lt5 - gt300 Chemistry Ph. Ds p.a 0 -
gt1000 Chemistry publications p.a lt5 gt3000
32Notwithstanding the asymmetries, chemistry is
heading for a boom time in Asia
33ASIA ITS LONG TRADITION OF CHEMISTRY
Natural products and traditional medicine
- Ayurveda in India, Chinese system among many
others prevalent in Asia - are being reinvented
now for human wellbeing - Neutraceuticals and Cosmeceuticals .60 bn
herbal market. -
Artemisinin a potent antimalarial drug, isolated
from Quighaosu
34ASIA ITS LONG TRADITION OF CHEMISTRY
Materials processing
35ASIA ITS LONG TRADITION OF CHEMISTRY
Dyes and pigments
36Chemistry in Asia
- Where does it stand?
- Where is it heading?
37From silver liningto golden edge
Chemistry does not yet have a serious image
problem in Asia- though there are some legitimate
concerns of civil society and environmenalists
While chemistry may not be the first career
choice among the young Asians, it is certainly
not the last
Job opportunities for chemists are getting
brighter
Investments in the chemical industry are flowing
both in the manufacturing and R D sectors as
more and more countries become TRIPS compliant
38 Asia the Changing Landscape of Chemistry
- Chemistry continues to draw students at both
graduate and undergraduate level - Signs of incremental improvement in the quality
of training and research - It is projected that by 2012 Asia will produce
more Ph.Ds in Chemistry than US or Europe! - Increasing capacity to retain knowledge intensive
capita - reversing the brain drain - Job opportunities with very competitive
compensation - Emergence of a new breed of entrepreneurs
39Many new initiatives
- New institutions - focus on Universities
- (Re)building research infrastructure
- Innovations in chemistry curricula
- Web enabled teaching-virtual experiments
- Incentives for faculty and students
Prime driver
40Chemistry in Asia- Positive signals and
increasing visibility
- Research contributions in cutting edge areas
- Many world class institutions-drawing attention
- Emergence of new leadership
- More speakers at leading Conferences/Symp.
- Regular hosting of major international events
- Signs of a spread-new countries in the arena
41Asia-increasing share of chemical literature
- In 2004 contributions from Asia accounted for
gt30 of the Chemistry literature - China 12
- Japan 11.8
- India 2.6
- S. Korea 2.4
- Source CAS
Population 61
There are first time contributions from
many countries in leading Chemistry Journals
42Relative Position in Chemistry (based on Chemical
abstracts)
In the chemistry world eleven four players from
Asia
43 Contributions to world Science 1990-2004
44Material Science
Contributions in Material Science 1990-2004
45Powerful interface of chemistry with industry
World trade in chemicals in 2000 was 1500
billion projected to be over 2000 billion in
2006
Geographic distribution of trade
EU 31 USA 30 Asia 27
46Chemical Industry Emerging Asian Scenario
- Major supply of bulk chemicals
- Manufacturing of fine chemicals and
intermediates - Phenomenal rise in contract research
- Establishment of major R D Centers by MNCs
- What are the drivers for such moves?
- Abundant human resources,
- Core competence of Asians in process research,
- Cost cutting,
- Environmental concerns, REACH has not yet
reached
47Chemical Industry Emerging Asian Scenario
- What are the benefits?
- Economic growth and employment
- Helps locals to move up the value chain
- Development of entrepreneurship
- Draws innovators
- What are the concerns?
- Environmental pollution air , water
- Hazards Bhopal gas leak (1984), Harbin (2005)
- Growth of indigenous R D
- IPR issues
48ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION IN ASIA
Pivotal role of chemistry in sustainable
development?
49- Lessons from the Miracle of Rhine
Following the Basel disaster of 1986, a
concerted, cross country effort with chemical
industry participation and policy interventions
has cleaned-up the river no more heavy metal
contamination and even the salamander fish is back
50Pharmaceuticals - A sunrise sector in Asia
Globally, pharmaceutical industry is worth gt500
billion, propelled by a string of
innovative blockbusters Generics market is
touching 50 billion
Asian countries have found a niche in generics
primarily due to special flair for innovations in
process research
But is that enough?
Particularly in the TRIPS compliant competitive
regime!
Blockbuster basket from Asia is rather empty
51But, there are spectacular successes
52INDIAN PHARMA BENEFITING THE NEEDY
- Core competence in process research has
brought down the price of the anti-AIDS cocktail
by a factor of 20 for the needy in the developing
nations. - An international NGO has set up facilities in
Hyderabad to make available life saving drugs at
affordable price to the needy.
53INDIAN PHARMA BENEFITING THE NEEDY
Norway court chips away at Pfizer's Lipitor
patents
Aug. 30 A Norway court sided with Ranbaxy
Laboratories Ltd. (500359.BY) in the Indian drug
company's effort to sell a cheaper, generic
version of Pfizer Inc.'s (PFE) blockbuster
Lipitor cholesterol-lowering pill there.
atrovastatin
54Pharmaceuticals - Opportunities and threats
Challenges of competition and innovation
- Global R D spending in 2001 was 31 billion,
typically pharma giants spend 10-16 of turn over
Asia 2 - Introduction of a new drug costs 800 million
70 of the costs goes into clinical trials time
span of 7-10 years - Current focus on generics. But, how long?
- Outsourcing and contract research are rapidly
growing - Pharma giants are establishing R D and
manufacturing facilities in Asia posing a
challenge to local companies
55Where should Asian emphasis be ?
- Sustainable Chemistry
- Green manufacturing, process research
- Natural Products
- leads and scaffolds for diversity,
chemogenomics - Pharmaceuticals-
- from generics to NMEs, high-end custom
synthesis - Catalysis energy, environment
- H2, CO, CO2, CH4
- Nanoscience and technology
- Sensors, devices
- Pragmatic partnerships with MNCs
- Beyond custom synthesis and contract research
56 Globalization glocalization symbiosis
Capacity to transform indigenous knowledge
based technologies and local innovations on a
global platform Integration of the present
needs (contract research and manufacturing) with
the long term vision of knowledge creators (IPR
holders) Brain drain to Brain gain- from
migration of people to moving jobs and tasks
57Watch out! Let not the present be a short joy
ride for Asia on the globalization bus
58Chemistry networks and organizations
- An Asian umbrella body- Federation of Asian
Chemical Societies (FACS) with 30 national
members.
- Holds a biennial ACC, the 11th scheduled in
South Korea - A range of networking projects - from Green
Chemistry to - Chemical Education to Medicinal Chemistry
- Network on the Chemistry of Natural Products
- The Asian-Pacific Chemical Education network
- Asian network on Green Chemistry
- Asia- Link project in Medicinal Chemistry (EU)
59Chemistry networks and organizations
Almost all countries have a professional society
Chemical Society of Japan (gt125 yrs) Indian
Chemical Society (gt80 yrs) Chinese Chemical
Society (gt70yrs)
Many of them publish journals - some but not all
are covered by CA and other databases
Bulletin of the Chemical Society of Japan Journal
of the Indian Chemical Society Journal of the
Korean Chemical Society Iranian Journal of
Chemistry
Impact factors range from 0.00 to lt2.00
60Need for forging new partnerships
- Collaborative efforts in Chemistry between Asian
Countries are inadequate and usually driven
either for accessing facility or as part of
political agenda. - Collaboration between Asian countries and
developed countries are mostly student or natural
resource centric or part of aid programs. - Create a new niche.
- New partnerships should be knowledge centric,
- equitable and genuinely two way
My plea - retune the mind set in time, commit to
spirit of internationalism in promoting chemistry
61There is an emerging consensus that the 21st
century will be an Asian Century If so,
Chemistry is destined to play a major role in
improving the quality of life, preserving the
environment and ensuring food and energy security
on a sustainable basis.
Let chemistry flourish every where for the
wellbeing of our planet and all humankind.
62Thank you