Health

Science - Discussions around global equity and justice in science typically emphasize the lack of diversity in the editorial boards of scientific journals, inequities in authorship, “parachute research,” dominance of the English language, or scientific awards garnered predominantly by Global North scientists. These inequities are pervasive and must be redressed. But there is a bigger problem. The legacy of colonialism in scientific research includes an intellectual property system that favors Global North countries and the big corporations they support. This unfairness shows up in who gets access to the fruits of science and raises the question of who science is designed to serve or save.

Consider the COVID-19 pandemic, which gave already known mRNA vaccine technology a global platform. But even as the world celebrated this achievement with a Nobel Prize, the stunning fact remains that COVID-19 vaccines failed to reach millions of people in the Global South in a timely manner, despite the public investments into making these technologies. Global North governments hoarded vaccines and were lobbied by pharmaceutical companies to block a patent waiver that could have enabled Global South countries to make their own mRNA vaccines as a short-term solution during a period of acute need. The commitment to capitalist exploitation that powered much of European colonization persists in science and continues to cost lives. If vaccines had reached the Global South in an equitable and timely manner, half the deaths that occurred might have been averted. Although efforts are being made to bring the technology to Africa, the mRNA platform is largely controlled by the Global North and Big Pharma, undermining vaccine development against a variety of diseases. These same power dynamics and actors also derailed the pandemic accord, which aims to ensure equity.