Latest info>News>Javier de Felipe (From the Ramón y Cajal Institute of Neurobiology), "People are not born good or bad by nature, rather the environment is the determinant"
17 / 07 / 2004 Javier de Felipe (From the Ramón y Cajal Institute of Neurobiology), "People are not born good or bad by nature, rather the environment is the determinant" The Forum's "141 Questions" (70): "Who must learn the politics of science?" Javier De Felipe, Professor and Researcher from The Ramón y Cajal Institute of Neurobiology, stated that he isn't tired of proclaiming, "people's education, especially during the first few years of life, is fundamental for their later development. Politicians should keep it in mind that the brain can be manipulated and that education is strategic in order to create good citizens."
Javier de Felipe, Professor and Researcher from the Ramón y Cajal Institute of Neurobiology, is considered one of the best-qualified neuroscientists in the whole world. In his intervention at the Haima stage, he insisted on the role of education in people's formation, "The brain is very plastic, it can change, above all, when children are very young. It is very important to take care of the brain's health. Education should be a priority for politicians."
De Felipe, who is the first Spanish scientist to receive the prestigious Krieg Cortical Kudos Award from the Club Cajal (USA), stated that, "Education is a way to teach us how to think. People aren't born good or bad by nature, rather the environment is the determinant. Genetics is a part of the brain, but we shouldn't forget that another important part is the environment."
Various public interventions coincided with De Felipe in condemning political power's traditional abandon in children's schools from 0 to 5 years of age, unlike other parts of the formative cycle, especially like at university. "People's brain can be manipulated for the good or for the bad, and politicians are very aware of this, for this, study plans change so often. But they forget about the education of the youngest ones and the ones at private centers, who generally continue believing in god," stated a public participant who De Felipe agreed with.
In the discussion held between the public congregated at the Haima Stage and the Spanish scientist taking part at the dialogue on “The Social Brain. Biology of Conflict and Cooperation,” held at the Forum until July 20, the issues of cells, brain transplant and the influence of television on children were dealt with.
With regard to research with mother cells, De Felipe stated, “anything that contributes to improve the human kind is good. But human beings still fear science. It also happened with atomic energy,” – he said –, “it was created with a good purpose but later it helped create the atom bomb and destruction.” He added, however that research with mother cells will not contribute to the research of the human brain. Our brains are not like a TV receiver, for instance, in which you can change a damaged cable to continue working. Our brains are the result of our life record and this cannot be changed.”
De Felipe explained some of the peculiarities of the brain research, like groups of people that collect the brains of outstanding personalities. “One of these groups has been collecting the brains of poets, artists and kings since 1908.”
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