MILAN-Scientific research, long neglected in Italy despite its position as the sixth largest Western industrial economy, could receive greater recognition next year within a new government.
A full-fledged Ministry of Scientific and Technological Research is being sought by Luigi Granelli, who for the past three years has been Minister without Portfolio with responsibility for both science and technology. He has made for-mal recognition of full ministerial status for his department a condition for his participation in the next government, according to well-informed sources within the scientific community who were un willing to be identified. The cur-rent Socialist government of Prime Minister Bettino Craxi is scheduled to give way next year to one led by the Christian Democrats.
The proposals benefit from re cent comments by top scientists within Italy and abroad who are seeking major changes in government support for scientific re search. Rita Levi-Montalcini, new Nobel laureate in physiology ...
