Biotech Updates

Peru's National Academy of Sciences Sides with Bustamante

May 28, 2010

Peru's National Academy of Sciences has given its support to Dr. Ernesto Bustamante Donayre, biologist, who was recently convicted in the 6th Criminal Court on charges of defamation. Bustamante was sentenced for disagreeing with the results of an investigation of Dr. Antonietta Gutiérrez Rosati, another Peruvian scientist. Specifically, he questioned the quality of the work, its publication in a website of a Malaysian nongovernment organization, and foremost, the conclusions derived from the research. An independent analysis of the research work by other Peruvian and international scientists confirmed the position of Bustamante.

Through its President, Dr. Roger Guerra-Garcia, the Academy said it "rejects any attempt to restrict the freedom of scientific criticism. By means of research, scientists also play a laudable work for the benefit of society, so it is not acceptable that they are limited in their freedom of expression with decisions such as that of the Sixth Criminal Court of Lima."

The Spanish version of the Academy's support can be downloaded at http://www.ancperu.org