Inadequate research and development on problems of development

Most global research and development is devoted to military purposes or the commercial objectives of large corporations. Little of that is of direct relevance to the conditions prevailing in developing countries. Furthermore, little of that effort addresses the pressing issues facing developing countries, such as arid-land agriculture or the control of tropical diseases. Insufficient is done to adapt recent innovations in materials technology, energy conservation, information technology and biotechnology to the needs of developing countries.