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CUBA, 14 de noviembre de 2006.- The United States government has always tried to minimize the successes of Cuban scientists in the area of biotechnology. They have even tried to make the world believe that the island's achievements in this sector have been used to produce biological weapons but there nothing further from the truth. The facts prove that, in Cuba, biotechnology has and is being used to fight diverse diseases and for the economic and scientific development of the country. Between 1991 and 2000, a total of 19 biotechnological products were elaborated. Currently, the country has 38 products whose quality and effectiveness have been tested. These products not only have a positive impact in the quality of life of the Cuban people but they have also been commercialized in more than 45 countries. The development of biotechnology in Cuba and its exclusively civil use in favor of human health have also been acknowledged at the international level. Former US president Jimmy Carter visited the island a few years ago and stressed that Cuba has developed a series of novel scientific discoveries and medicines that have been used in favor of human health and not to seek financial benefits. He also recognized the large program for the immunization of children against several diseases. Out of the 13 vaccines used in this program, eight are fully produced in Cuba like, for example, that against Hepatitis B, whose use allowed the country to reduce to zero the number of cases among children under five years of age. Cuba has also created a penta-valent vaccine that protects children against five preventable diseases and which is already being applied in Third World countries. Today, Cuban scientists are working in the development of new projects of therapeutic vaccines, some of which are in very advanced stages and close to beginning the stage of clinic trials, such as vaccines against Hepatitis C and prostate cancer, as it was announced during the International Congress on Biotechnology that is underway in Havana. In spite of the over-forty-year-old blockade of the United States against the island, the Cuban government has ceased to pay special attention to this important sector that today exhibits great achievements that allow Cuba to be among the most developed countries in the world in this respect. There are 52 institutions in Havana working in this scientific and productive field and there are others in seven provinces across the island. Cuba's advances in biotechnology are well known worldwide. Many nations of the Third World benefit from the Cuban achievements, which have also allowed the country to increase the life expectancy rate to 80 years and to reduce infant mortality rate to 5.9 in 2006. Aware of the importance of biotechnology, the Cuban authorities currently develop new programs and investments that will surely allow the achievements to continue growing. (Cubaminrex-RHC)
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