Science has now become an international effort. Industrialised countries increasingly rely on foreigners for much of their scientific research, luring them in with attractive salaries and well-equipped laboratories. But what about the countries from which these scientists originate?

In this article Salama A. Salama, a columnist for the Cairo-based Al-Ahram Weekly, argues that in Egypt at least, scientists are more focused on their own individual concerns rather than on fostering the team spirit necessary for progress. He adds that universities are even allowing poor working relationships between some academics to stifle the careers of promising young researchers.

As a result, young Egyptian scientists are pouring out of the country and into others that recognise their talents. Salama believes that until scientists in Egypt are judged by their achievements alone, there will be no progress towards genuine scientific research.