- Science and technology in Colombia
Science and technology in Colombia refers to the development of scientific research and technological innovation in
Colombia , and how these in turn affect Colombian society, politics, and culture. In spite of its current internal armed conflict and economic struggle there is a growing interest about the developing of its technology in different fields.Aerospace
Colombia is one of the few
Latin American countries to havesatellite s in orbit, sinceApril 7 2007 whenLibertad I (CubeSat ), was sent fromBaikonur cosmodrome , to orbit around the planet offeringmeteorological information and as aCommunications satellite . According to projections, it will continue fulfilling his functions by other five or six years, surpassing the early expectations.Aeronautic
With the establishment in Colombia of the Aeroleaver factory more than 50 years ago, and with a joint effort of the government, it was managed to develop the first Colombian
airship , completely with Colombian technology and elaborated in the country, the "Sparrowhawk". At the moment Armed Forces of Colombia (FACE) uses some of these airplanes, and others are of commercial use.Naval
Colombia has one of the largest if not the largest
Shipyard s inLatin America located in Cartagena. It produces Fluvial Support Patrol Ships, like theARC TF Juan Ricardo Oyola Vera which were developed by Cotecmar Co. [ [http://www.armada.mil.co/?idcategoria=266251 es icon Colombian National Armada: Sexta Patrullera de Apoyo Fluvial (sixth patroller of fluvial support)] ] These ships are intended to patrol rivers and littoral waters and features a helicopter deck.Nuclear
In 1955, Colombia signed a treaty with the United States for the development of
nuclear energy with pacific aims and, in 1960 Colombia was admitted in theInternational Atomic Energy Agency . Colombia is one of the few Latin American countries and the only in theAndean region, in having anuclear reactor in operation: the IAN-R1. This reactor built in the United States, is used in the production ofneutron s with research purposes, every year it radiates and analyzes 4,400 samples. [ [http://www.eltiempo.com/ciencia/noticias/ARTICULO-WEB-NOTA_INTERIOR-3398411.html"Colombia will be the only bolivariano country with a nuclear reactor in operation"] ]Health
As of 2007 Colombian medicine has been recognized as one of the most advanced in
Latin America . Therefractive surgery keratomileusis was developed byIgnacio Barraquer in 1964 in Bogotá. OnJanuary 10 ,1985 Dr. Elkin Lucena performed the fist successfulIn vitro fertilization , that allowed the birth of the first Latin Americantest tube baby Carolina Mendez. OnDecember 14 ,1985 the Dr. Alberto Villegas performed the firstheart transplant in Latin America to Antonio Yepes. [ [http://www.compumedicina.info/cursos/p0005.htm Historia de la Cirugía. Curso a Distancia ] ]On
May 20 ,1994 Manuel Elkin Patarroyo received thePrince of Asturias Awards by his technical and scientific research in the development of synteticmalaria vaccine . The national constitucion was reformed in 1991, and with this purpose the general system of social security was reformed with the implementation of Law 100, that extended widely the health coverage to the population, but the economic resources to finance this reform were insufficient, causing collapse of many public health institutions and affecting the income of the medical staff. [ [http://www.deslinde.org.co/Dsl36/dsl36_la_ley_100.htm La Ley 100 ] ]References
* [http://www.usergioarboleda.edu.co/proyecto_espacial/ es icon Libertad 1 Space Program Official Site]
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