Science and technology in Colombia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Science and technology in Colombia refers to the development of scientific research and technological innovation in Colombia, and how these in turn affect Colombian society, politics, and culture. In spite of its current internal armed conflict and economic struggle there is a growing interest about the developing of its technology in different fields.
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[edit] Aerospace
Colombia is one of the few Latin American countries in having satellites in orbit, since April 7, 2007 when Libertad I (CubeSat), was sent from Baikonur cosmodrome, to orbit around the planet offering meteorological information and as a Communications satellite. According to projections, it will continue fulfilling his functions by other five or six years, surpassing the early expectations.
[edit] Aeronautic
With the establishment in Colombia of the Aeroleaver factory more than 50 years ago, and with a joint effort of the government, it was managed to develop the first Colombian airship, completely with Colombian technology and elaborated in the country, the "Sparrowhawk". At the moment Armed Forces of Colombia (FACE) uses some of these airplanes, and others are of commercial use.
[edit] Naval
Colombia has one of the largest if not the largest Shipyards in Latin America located in Cartagena. It produces Fluvial Support Patrol Ships, like the ARC TF Juan Ricardo Oyola Vera which were developed by Cotecmar Co.[1] These ships are intended to patrol rivers and littoral waters and features a helicopter deck.
[edit] Nuclear
In 1955, Colombia signed a treaty with the United States for the development of nuclear energy with pacific aims and, in 1960 Colombia was admitted in the International Atomic Energy Agency. Colombia is one of the few Latin American countries and the only in the Andean region, in having a nuclear reactor in operation: the IAN-R1. This reactor built in the United States, is used in the production of neutrons with research purposes, every year it radiates and analyzes 4,400 samples.[2]
[edit] Health
As of 2007 Colombian medicine has been recognized as one of the most advanced in Latin America. The refractive surgery keratomileusis was developed by Ignacio Barraquer in 1964 in Bogotá. On January 10, 1985 Dr. Elkin Lucena performed the fist successful In vitro fertilization, that allowed the birth of the first Latin American test tube baby Carolina Mendez. On December 14, 1985 the Dr. Alberto Villegas performed the first heart transplant in Latin America to Antonio Yepes.[3]
On May 20, 1994 Manuel Elkin Patarroyo received the Prince of Asturias Awards by his technical and scientific research in the development of syntetic malaria vaccine.
The national constitucion was reformed in 1991, and with this purpose the general system of social security was reformed with the implementation of Law 100, that extended widely the health coverage to the population, but the economic resources to finance this reform were insufficient, causing collapse of many public health institutions and affecting the income of the medical staff. [4]
[edit] References
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