>From Mr. Santosh Helekar’s posts on Goanet on the subject ‘Science for
sale..’, it is obvious that he does not know how to discuss issues. I don’t
expect
discussions to proceed in such manner, specially when one claims to be teaching
post graduates and post doctorates. Basic knowledge of how discussions are to
proceed is imparted as students in any field. I pity the students and regret the
standard of education in any Institute where a teacher himself does not know to
conduct a discussion.
In this discussion on Goanet on the subject ‘Science for sale’; the main
topic or issue was of the pharmaceuticals and research scientists nexus, in
which ultimately the patient bears the brunt. But Mr. Santosh started itself by
ignoring the main topic and began arguments on ‘peer review’ and reached
‘European Inquisition’.
This type of arguments and discussion typically resemble how the
fisherwomen fight in the fish market. They bring in the father, mother,
brothers, in-laws, neighbours, everybody into their argument and finally reach
the topic of whose husband sleeps with whom. In the bargain the main issue is
entirely forgotten and lost.
Dr. Ferdinando dos Reis Falcão.