Bio-medical research and search for personhood: a 40-year project

During our PhD thesis in Leuven (Belgium), we chose the path of biomedical research, not as an intellectual enterprise, but as a concrete full time choice for the person. We worked at Mario Negri, Milan, a non-profit institution, convinced that independent research should offer health benefit to the population, rather than economically exploiting the scientific results obtained. Science communication was also developed as an ethic aspect of research. At Mario Negri Sud, located in a small village far from large cities, we combined excellence in research and attention to the surrounding territory, including schools, elderly people, agricultural products, industry and religious traditions. One of the most consistent features of our research work was to involve young fellows and give them responsibility. A major effort was also performed to diffuse a scientific attitude among young people (e.g. “Summer Student” program). When we moved further down to Southern Italy, namely to Campobasso, human population studies were fully developed. Being in Molise, our main research project had direct impact on the Molisani people. The “MOLI-SANI” project was performed in collaboration with local GPs, regional health authorities, priests in charge of parishes, elderly cultural circles, lay press and television networks, schools. Health promotion, life style and prevention were and still are the preferred targets of the project, rather than diseases, hospitals and drugs. Along whole our life, we believed in research as a preferential way to develop the personhood. If only one of the researchers who worked with us will keep the same faith, we shall feel privileged.