Recently, a news about Professor Zhang Yongzhen being asked to stay overnight in the laboratory has sparked a strong discussion. Professor Zhang Yongzhen is the first scientist in mainland China to upload the genome sequence of the new coronavirus. His contributions have decisively helped bring the pandemic under control around the world, but the country's most influential virologist has found himself in an unbelievable predicament.
It is reported that on April 27, the Shanghai Public Health Center instructed Zhang Yongzhen's team to move out of the laboratory within two days on the grounds of laboratory upgrading. However, this did not give the researchers a specific arrangement, which made it impossible for them to advance the project and the samples were difficult to protect. These difficulties were reported to management, but they were not taken seriously.
On April 28, Professor Zhang was still working in the laboratory to complete the important project. At this time, the public health center sent someone to forcibly close the laboratory, and Professor Zhang was confined to the laboratory overnight on the spot. The incident provoked strong discontent among the students, who gathered in protest to demand a reasonable explanation from the authorities.
The incident sparked an uproar from all walks of life. As the first contributor to the sequencing of the genome of the new coronavirus, Professor Zhang was treated like this, which is really unexpected. We can't help but ask: Is it not possible for a scientist who dedicates himself to scientific research to ensure even the most basic working environment? How does the public health department, as a regulator, make decisions and control decisions? Not to mention that the progress of the project is hindered and the mood of the scientific research personnel is affected, will this harm the long-term development of the mainland's scientific and technological undertakings?
Netizens are hotly discussed
Netizens said: Scientists themselves are social wealth, and if they are manipulated by capital, they are social hazards, which must be distinguished.
Netizens said: Ask a question, if the supervisor of the graduate student is arrested, what should the graduate students do?
Netizens said: Strictly investigate the leadership team of the public health center. Why is there a brain drain, and is this how scientific researchers are treated?
Netizens said: Scientists should focus on protection, and even give them some privileges, because their contribution to the country is immeasurable, thousands of times stronger than the stars of the entertainment industry.
Netizens said: The country should provide well-equipped laboratories to let scientists shine.
Write at the end
Perhaps, we should question whether the current public health management system is too "high-level" and ignores the voices of grassroots researchers. As the parent company of many scientists, we should not force others to "accommodate" because of temporary management needs. Management should learn to listen to different opinions and pay attention to the autonomy and innovation ability of talents. Only in this way can we truly train more influential scientists like Zhang Yongzhen and promote the public health cause of the mainland to a new height.
This incident also reminds us to pay attention to the status of scientific and technological talents in society. Does the fact that Professor Zhang has received global awards for his scientific research achievements but has been treated unkindly in his home country means that we should strengthen our efforts in valuing talents? National official institutions should regularly investigate the working conditions and demands of scientific and technological personnel from all walks of life, and optimize safeguard measures in a timely manner, so that more outstanding talents can grow together in their ideals and responsibilities. Only in this way can our scientific and technological undertakings grow long enough and become the mainstay of the national economy and people's livelihood.
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