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Updated February 2004
Biological Facilities
National Center for Scientific Research (Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas)
Other Names: CENIC; CNIC
Address: Ave 25, No 15202 esq 158,
Cubanacan, Playa, Cuba
PO Box 6048
Ciudad de La Habana, Cuba
Location: West of Havana; part of "Scientific Pole"
Phone Number: 53 (7) 210948
Subordinate to: Ministry of Higher Education
Director: n/a
Size: CENIC is a large complex with over 1,000 employees.
History: CENIC was established in 1965 as Cuba's first biotechnology institute at the behest of Fidel Castro. The center was created prior to the establishment of Castro's "Biological Front," and functions under the authority of the Ministry of Higher Education. Scientists and students became involved in biomedical and biochemical research, providing assistance to other institutions throughout Cuba. CENIC is dedicated to the education and training of scientists involved in Cuban biotech research and industry, and has trained such scientists as Luis Herrera Martinez, the current director of the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB). The goal of the institute was to encourage new types of biotech research, thus boosting Cuba's biotechnology and public health sector.
Description:
The research institute comprises four separate divisions: biomedicine, chemistry, bioengineering, and electronics. It provides analytic and technical services to other scientific institutions, according to Manuel Limonta, former director of CIGB, along with leading the country in post-graduate bioscience education.
Additional Information: While CIGB has replaced CENIC as Cuba's premier bioscientific institution, historically this institute has played an important role in Cuban biotechnology, and continues to train scientists who then move on to work at other institutions.
Key Sources: Manuel Limonta, "Biotechnology and the Third World: Development Strategies in Cuba," Biomedical Science and the Third World, ed., Barry Bloom and Anthony Cerami, (New York: New York Academy of Sciences, 1989), pp. 325-333; Charles Cooper (ed.), Technology and Innovation in the International Economy (Maastricht, Holland: Edward Elgar- United Nations University Press, 1994), p. 2.4.4; M. Elderhorst, "Will Cuba's biotechnology capacity survive the socio-economic crisis?" Biotechnology and Development Monitor, No. 20, pp. 11-13, 22.
This
material is produced independently for NTI by the James Martin Center for
Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies and
does not necessarily reflect the opinions of and has not been independently
verified by NTI or its directors, officers, employees, agents. Copyright © 2008
by MIIS.
