The limitation of rights to scientific advancement : funding mechanism's imapcting to research agenda of scientists in Yunnan, China

Abstract

In the past two decades, China has allocated vast investments in research and development to develop intellectual property. However, the historical weakness in research capacity restrains scientific researchers in Yunnan Province, China to participate scientific progress. A central government-led funding mechanism, which controls distribution and management, has the consequence of marginalizing Yunnan, so its researchers face a lack of resources to conduct scientific research. This study undertook the semi-structured interview with 21 scientists at universities, research institutions and private enterprises to investigate how scientists in Yunnan, China are impacted by such central government-led funding mechanism. Also examines if the conditions and results are consistent with human rights norm as Art. 27 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Art. 15 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICESCR). The outcome-oriented research culture, which is based more on quick success, pushes Yunnan into a vicious cycle to sacrifice sustainable research activities to search for funding. Given such a disadvantage, there is a ripple effect where the lack of funding undermines other rights including freedom of expression and the livelihood rights for Yunnan scientists.