Nanotechnologies for neglected diseases in Brazil: research trajectories, incentives and perspectives

Abstract

Neglected diseases, which are associated with poverty, precarious living conditions and health inequalities, were included as the Millennium Development Goals (2000) and remain on the agenda of the Sustainable Development Goals (2015). Governments, international organizations and academics have suggested that nanotechnologies can contribute to the treatment and eradication of these diseases, as well as to alleviate the conditions of poverty (Salamanca-Buentello et al., 2005, Juma & Yee-Cheoung, 2005). In this article, we examine the Brazilian trajectory of research in nanomedicine applied to neglected diseases based on documental  analysis of the policies to promote nanotechnology, funding and the activities of the 65 research groups of the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development acting in the area, as well as from interviews with researchers from six research groups. It is argued that public policy has not given enough emphasis to the application of emerging technologies to solve relevant and persistent social problems, such as neglected diseases. It is concluded that the timid references to neglected diseases in nanotechnology policy documents converge with a marginal interest in terms of funding, not sufficiently stimulating the inclusion of the theme in the research agendas.