Knowledge can flow from developing to developed countries

doi:10.1136/bmj.321.7264.830

BMJ 2000;321:830 ( 30 September )

Letters

Knowledge can flow from developing to developed countries

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

EDITOR $---$ I am pleased that this issue of the BMJ explores the many aspects of research in developing countries. The first thingthat comes to mind on this issue is how developed countries canteach developing countries, but few people realise that the flowof knowledge can sometimes be reversed. Developed countries canlearn and benefit from research in developing countries, particularlyfrom research on infectious diseases and alternativetreatments.

More international travel has led to a resurgence of infectious diseases and to a rapid spread to developed countries of diseasesthat used to be exclusive to the developing world. The emergenceof HIV infection has warned us about the global threat of newinfections, which are more likely to start in developing countries.¹Research and surveillance on infectious diseases are most effectivelydone in areas where the diseases are common. Early communicationand attention to this epidemiological information . . . [Full text of this article]