La importancia de las publicaciones científicas

Abstract

The importance of the scientific publications for the social and economic development of the societies is shown. The importance of those publications for public and private research institutions, especially for the universities is indicated. Reference is given to the Venezuelan presidential decree declaring as luxury expenses the publications of public institutions and therefore unable to access to public funds. This has obvious negative effects on the advance of science in our country. It is remarked that internet and other virtual media are not an alternative because they do not reach the areas and people of low income, such as hospitals, schools, etc., in rural areas.