25 research outputs found
CONOCIMIENTO TÁCITO EN LA ECONOMÍA DEL CAMBIO TECNOLÓGICO, LA ECONOMÍA POLÍTICA REGULACIONISTA Y LA ECONOMÍA NEOINSTITUCIONALISTA. UNA REVISIÓN CONCEPTUAL
Como valorizar o sujeito na tecnociência? Como recuperar a centralidade do humano e do social nessas narrativas? Como formular e implementar ações que nos conduzam rumo a esse objetivo? Tais questões têm movido, no campo acadêmico, algumas reflexões recentes sobre a relação entre ciência-tecnologia-sustentabilidade-inclusão social. São ainda pouco numerosas, é verdade. Mas o número de pesquisadores envolvidos com o tema tem crescido gradualmente ao longo dos últimos anos. É ao redor dessas questões que orbitam os trabalhos que compõem este número da revista
Resistance to bioeconomy in Argentina: the fights against pesticides (2001-2013)
Este artículo analiza algunas dinámicas de resistencia a la expansión de la llamada bioeconomía agraria en Argentina. La bioeconomía es un proyecto político global basado en la manipulación, explotación y apropiación tecnológica de la materia viviente. En Argentina, han surgido crecientes conflictos con respecto a la adopción del paquete biotecnológico compuesto por semillas genéticamente modificadas y agrotóxicos. A través de análisis de archivo, entrevistas en profundidad y observaciones analizo las acciones colectivas orientadas a cuestionar el discurso sobre la inocuidad de los agrotóxicos y cambiar las regulaciones para su comercialización y uso en Argentina entre 2001 y 2013. A lo largo del período no se lograron cambios en la política regulatoria nacional, sin embargo, hubo algunos avances en la resistencia: a. se formó un movimiento social y una red de investigadores, científicos y trabajadores de la salud que cuestionó el discurso de la inocuidad de los agrotóxicos y; b. en algunos casos, se lograron cambios en las políticas regulatorias locales. Estos resultados fueron producto de un conjunto complejo y poco convencional de formas de acción colectiva que incluyeron la movilización de distintos tipos de conocimiento. Planteo como hipótesis para futuras investigaciones que los cambios macro-estructurales en Argentina relativos al advenimiento de la bioeconomía agraria están dando lugar a la emergencia de nuevos “repertorios” de acción colectiva.This paper analyzes the bottom-up dynamics of resistance to the expansion of the agricultural bioeconomy in Argentina. The bioeconomy can be thought as a global political project based on the management, exploitation and technological appropriation of living matter. In Argentina, growing conflicts have arisen regarding the adoption of the biotechnological package consisting of genetically modified seeds and pesticides. Through archival research, in-depth interviews and ethnographic observations, I analyzed the collective actions aimed at questioning the discourse on the safety of pesticides and changing the regulations for their commercialization and use in Argentina between 2001 and 2013. Throughout the period no changes in national regulatory policy were achieved, however, there was some progress at the general level: a. a social movement was and a network of researchers, scientists and health workers who questioned the discourse on the safety of pesticides were formed and; b. in some cases, changes in local regulatory policies were achieved. These results were the product of a complex and unconventional set of collective actions that included the mobilization of different types of knowledge. I propose as a hypothesis for future research that the macro-structural changes in Argentina (the advent of the agricultural bioeconomy) are giving rise to the emergence of new “repertoires” of collective action.Fil: Arancibia, Florencia Paula. Universidad Nacional de San Martin. Escuela de Economia y Negocios. Centro de Investigaciones Para la Transformacion.; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin
Semi-analytic galaxies : I. Synthesis of environmental and star-forming regulation mechanisms
We present results from the semi-analytic model of galaxy formation SAG applied on the MULTIDARK simulation MDPL2. SAG features an updated supernova (SN) feedback scheme and a robust modelling of the environmental effects on satellite galaxies. This incorporates a gradual starvation of the hot gas halo driven by the action of ram pressure stripping (RPS), that can affect the cold gas disc, and tidal stripping (TS), which can act on all baryonic components. Galaxy orbits of orphan satellites are integrated providing adequate positions and velocities for the estimation of RPS and TS. The star formation history and stellar mass assembly of galaxies are sensitive to the redshift dependence implemented in the SN feedback model. We discuss a variant of our model that allows to reconcile the predicted star formation rate density at z ≳ 3 with the observed one, at the expense of an excess in the faint end of the stellar mass function at z= 2. The fractions of passive galaxies as a function of stellar mass, halo mass, and the halo-centric distances are consistent with observational measurements. The model also reproduces the evolution of the main sequence of star-forming central and satellite galaxies. The similarity between them is a result of the gradual starvation of the hot gas halo suffered by satellites, in which RPS plays a dominant role. RPS of the cold gas does not affect the fraction of quenched satellites but it contributes to reach the right atomic hydrogen gas content for more massive satellites (M* ≳1010M⊙).Instituto de Astrofísica de La PlataFacultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísica
Semi-analytic galaxies : I. Synthesis of environmental and star-forming regulation mechanisms
We present results from the semi-analytic model of galaxy formation SAG applied on the MULTIDARK simulation MDPL2. SAG features an updated supernova (SN) feedback scheme and a robust modelling of the environmental effects on satellite galaxies. This incorporates a gradual starvation of the hot gas halo driven by the action of ram pressure stripping (RPS), that can affect the cold gas disc, and tidal stripping (TS), which can act on all baryonic components. Galaxy orbits of orphan satellites are integrated providing adequate positions and velocities for the estimation of RPS and TS. The star formation history and stellar mass assembly of galaxies are sensitive to the redshift dependence implemented in the SN feedback model. We discuss a variant of our model that allows to reconcile the predicted star formation rate density at z ≳ 3 with the observed one, at the expense of an excess in the faint end of the stellar mass function at z= 2. The fractions of passive galaxies as a function of stellar mass, halo mass, and the halo-centric distances are consistent with observational measurements. The model also reproduces the evolution of the main sequence of star-forming central and satellite galaxies. The similarity between them is a result of the gradual starvation of the hot gas halo suffered by satellites, in which RPS plays a dominant role. RPS of the cold gas does not affect the fraction of quenched satellites but it contributes to reach the right atomic hydrogen gas content for more massive satellites (M* ≳1010M⊙).Instituto de Astrofísica de La PlataFacultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísica
A Latin American Perspective to Agricultural Ethics
The mixture of political, social, cultural and economic environments in Latin America, together with the enormous diversity in climates, natural habitats and biological resources the continent offers, make the ethical assessment of agricultural policies extremely difficult. Yet the experience gained while addressing the contemporary challenges the region faces, such as rapid urbanization, loss of culinary and crop diversity, extreme inequality, disappearing farming styles, water and land grabs, malnutrition and the restoration of the rule of law and social peace, can be of great value to other regions in similar latitudes, development processes
and social problems. This chapter will provide a brief overview of these challenges from the perspective of a continent that is exposed to the consequences of extreme inequality in multiple dimensions and conclude by arguing for the need to have a continuous South-South dialogue on the challenges of establishing socially and environmentally sustainable food systems
Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study
Summary
Background Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally.
Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies
have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of
the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income
countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality.
Methods We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to
hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis,
exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung’s disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a
minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical
status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary
intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause,
in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status.
We did a complete case analysis.
Findings We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital
diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal
malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung’s disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middleincome
countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male.
Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3).
Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income
countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups).
Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in lowincome
countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries;
p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients
combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11],
p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20
[1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention
(ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety
checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed
(ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of
parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65
[0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality.
Interpretation Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between lowincome,
middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will
be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger
than 5 years by 2030
Las palabras y “las sojas”: un enfoque desde la sociología de la ciencia y la tec-nología
La introducción de soja transgénica resistente al glifosato en los principales mercados de grano a mediados de los 90, implicó un punto de inflexión en el sistema agro-alimentario global. Expertos y organismos internacionales apoyaron la implementación de la biotecnología en la agricultura argumentando que podría ser la solución a varios de los problemas de escasez de alimentos y recursos naturales que enfrentará la humanidad en los próximos años. Sin embargo, esta mirada no fue unánimemente aceptada. Fuertes cuestionamientos y controversias surgieron en relación con la seguridad de las nuevas técnicas de producción agraria, la calidad y confiabilidad de la sanidad de los alimentos producidos, la sustentabilidad económica y ambiental del nuevo modelo agro-alimentario, así como la distribución de los beneficios derivados del mismo. En la Argentina, tercer productor mundial de soja RR, durante los últimos diez años crecieron estos debates y conflictos. En este artículo presento una propuesta teórico-metodológica para abordar las controversias científico-políticas relativas a la soja RR, centrando la mirada en los procesos de lucha que involucran tanto a expertos como no expertos
Regulatory Science And Social Movements: The Trial Against The Use Of Agrochemicals In Ituzaingó.
In August 2012 a transgenic soy producer and a pesticide spraying pilot were sentenced to three years of conditional prison for potential pollution and harm to public health in Cordoba, Argentina. This was the first case of pesticide pollution judged by Criminal Law in Latin America and the verdict became a turning point in the struggle to regulate pesticides in Argentina. The trial was initiated by the movement “Madres de Ituzaingó” from a neighborhood surrounded by transgenic soy fields sprayed with glyphosate-based herbicides (to which GM seeds are resistant). They found an increase in cancer rates and made the nexus between their illnesses and glyphosate exposure. In this way, they challenged official “regulatory science”, which classifies glyphosate as a product of low toxicity, commercialized and used without restriction. Through in-depth interviews and ethnographic observation, I found that the ruling was an outcome of interconnected actions which included typical forms of protest, the production of “undone science”, as well as other actions involving expertise.Fil: Arancibia, Florencia Paula. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin
Rethinking Activism and Expertise within Environmental Health Conflicts
This review presents the contributions of research on the intersection of science and social movements, its theoretical and methodological limitations, and potential solutions for its further development. Three different types of relationships between activism and knowledge have been identified within environmental health conf licts: (i) lay – activists requesting help from sympathetic scientists in order to conduct independent studies; (ii) expert – activists promoting new research agendas and sub-fields within established scientific disciplines; and (iii) expert – activists acting beyond the limits of the academic community and partnering with social movements. In this review, I argue that much of the existing literature considers expertise as “something” possessed by individuals, and heavily emphasizes the difference between “lay” and “expert” activists. This entails two main theoretical reductionisms: (i) reification of knowledge; and (ii) overlooking the contribution of activism to expertise and vice versa. I propose considering expertise as the property of a network and focusing future research within environmental health conf licts on the co-emergence and construction of a network of expertise (Eyal 2013) or ethno-epistemic assemblage (Irwin & Michael 2003) and social movements. Through this symmetrical network approach, we will be able to develop a more consistent theory of the co-production of activism and expertise, as well as its political implication to fight environmental health injustice.Fil: Arancibia, Florencia Paula. Centro de Investigaciones para la Transformación; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. State University of New York; Estados Unido
Undone science and counter-expertise: fighting for justice in an Argentine community contaminated by pesticides
STS and social movement scholars have shown the importance of ‘getting undone science done’ to advance the goals of social movements fighting environmental health injustice. The production and mobilization of counter-expertise, meaning the reliance on expertise, broadly construed, to contest regulatory decisions based on scientific knowledge, must be further analyzed by differentiating among types of expertise and strategies to mobilize them. In social mobilization against the unrestricted use of pesticides in Argentina, the affected community in Ituzaingó Anexo developed three types of expertise. The community first drew upon its own local knowledge of cases of illness and, as lay people, produced the first epidemiological map of this area. Then, they enrolled scientists and NGOs as allies to jointly learn about pesticide contamination as an explanation for illness. The enlisted scientists produced new knowledge by conducting environmental and epidemiological studies. Finally, sympathetic public health authorities, legal experts, and a district attorney designed a successful legal strategy to stop fumigations in that area and enforce local regulations. The case confirms the importance of producing undone science, and shows that its effectiveness can be explained by intertwined strategies deployed by a triad of lay/local, scientific, and legal experts to overcome the expertise barrier.Fil: Arancibia, Florencia Paula. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de General Sarmiento. Instituto del Conurbano; Argentina. Centro de Investigaciones para la Transformación; ArgentinaFil: Motta, Renata. Freie Universität Berlin; Alemani