Two useful nuggets of info....

Came across these two nuggets of useful info in the course of my lessons recently:

1) 'the wealthiest 20% of the world's population consumes 76.6% (just round off to 75% or 'more than 70%' or 'about 80%' for easy remembering) of the world's goods' -- source: Broader Perspectives

Note the point here that the rich nations' consumerist culture is responsible for environmental degradation.

Qn: Is it possible to save the environment without first addressing poverty?



2) Pharmaceutical companies tend to focus their research in lucrative areas like heart disease and cancer which tend to affect people from rich nations. The consequence is that important but non-profit yielding research tends to side-lined.
'In the 1990s, out of the billions spent on health research, only $100 million per year was devoted to malaria research. Less than 5% of all drugs produced in the world are aimed at combating tropic diseases.' (Note: the tropics is where most third world nations are located) -- source: Broader Perspectives

Qn:

1)     To what extent is it acceptable for private companies to be involved in financing scientific research? (2011)

2)     Should research into expensive medical treatments be allowed when only a few can afford them? (2007)