The directory and board of the Brazilian Materials Research Society (B-MRS) are in solidarity with the Director of the Brazilian National Institute for Space Research (INPE), Prof. Ricardo Magnus Osório Galvão, with regard to the unsubstantiated claims by President Jair Bolsonaro. Had the President been careful to verify INPE’s work and Professor Ricardo Galvão contributions, he would not have made such an unfounded accusation.
Public agencies and their officials must serve the people and the Nation and are therefore subject to criticism and evaluation. However, it is inadmissible for a President of the Republic to make public accusations without the bare minimum of verification. It’s not just Professor Ricardo Galvão and INPE that the President offends, but all who work in favor of Brazil for knowledge generation.
Gerson Anderson de Carvalho Lopes
Infelizmente temos um governo anti-ciência atualmente em nosso país. Tomara que, pelo menos, esse fato recente sirva para mobilizar cada vez mais pessoas dentro e fora da comunidade científica para pressionar que sejam tomadas ações pró-ciência e pró educação no Brasil.