Italian Researchers Abroad Lead Breakthroughs in Molecular Genetics

Italians abroad: the brains fleeing the country. Our scientific researchers continue to stand out, especially abroad. Many recent discoveries are, in fact, due to the efforts of Italian citizens who emigrated in search of fortune and to escape nepotism and favoritism.

Regarding the brain drain from Italy, institutions and associations are taking a stance. The Minister of Health Umberto Veronesi states that “this phenomenon is destined to end,” referring to the case of the two Italian doctors in “exile” in the USA who recently discovered the gene responsible for neuroblastoma.

The minister also offered a suggestion to young researchers: “molecular genetics could be one of those fields to which you should focus your attention.”

Migration flows and involved sectors

An investigation by the Associazione dottorandi italiani (Adi) shows that the preferred destinations for those leaving Italy are the United States, France, and the United Kingdom. Few go to Japan.

Primarily, engineers and physicists emigrate, followed by biologists and doctors. And almost all researchers currently working abroad are men (70/75%).