History of Science in Latin America and the Caribbean

History of Science in Latin America and the Caribbean (HOSLAC) is an extensive database featuring primary sources on the history of science in Latin America and the Caribbean. Launched in January 2010, it offers a virtual archive containing over 200 primary documents, each accompanied by introductions informed by the latest scholarly research. This resource is designed to support teaching, research, and general interest, catering to those eager to explore the region's scientific history.

For centuries, Latin America and the Caribbean have been viewed as regions of natural wealth and diverse populations, attracting explorers and scientists. Recent scholarship highlights that their histories are not just peripheral stories of exploration but are central to global scientific development since 1492, influencing fields like slavery, colonialism, geology, medicine, and social sciences.

HOSLAC aims to present the distinct scientific contexts of the region to scholars and the public. Its sources reveal the region’s scientific history as diverse, spanning from pre-Columbian times to biotechnology, shaped by cross-cultural exchanges with Europe and North America; some voluntary, others coercive, such as in slavery. Native and local actors also played critical roles in shaping scientific knowledge through participation and discovery.

HOSLAC's modular design allows users to explore topics independently, making it useful for research, teaching, and public engagement.

The archive

The HOSLAC archive explores the rich history of science in Latin America and the Caribbean, emphasizing its global significance. It covers themes like colonialism, medicine, anthropology, and indigenous contributions, showing how local actors and cross-cultural interactions shaped scientific knowledge. The archive is modular, allowing users to explore topics chronologically or independently, making it a valuable resource for research, teaching, and public learning.

Reproductive histories

The Reproductive Histories collection, led by Dr. Cassia Roth, explores reproductive practices in 19th- and 20th-century Mexico and Brazil, focusing on abortion, fertility control, and the roles of gender, race, and class. It highlights the involvement of both women and men in reproductive healthcare, the criminalization of practices like abortion and infanticide, and the tensions between midwives and medical professionals. The collection examines how reproductive experiences shaped social norms and national histories.

Nobel Prize winners

The Nobel Prize, a mark of global excellence, has primarily awarded scientists from Western Europe and the U.S., benefiting from advanced technology, funding, and institutions. From 1901 to 1995, only five Latin Americans won science Nobels: three from Argentina - Bernardo Houssay (Physiology, 1947), Luis F. Leloir (Chemistry, 1970), and César Milstein (Physiology, 1984), and two from other countries, Baruj Benacerraf (Physiology, 1980, Venezuela) and Mario J. Molina (Chemistry, 1995, Mexico).

Houssay’s early 20th-century low-cost research style in Argentina laid the foundation for future Nobel successes, focusing on overlooked topics. However, Latin America has historically prioritized practical sciences like agriculture and engineering over pure research, with universities emphasizing medical practice over scientific discovery.

Most Latin American Nobel laureates, except Houssay and Leloir, made key discoveries abroad, reflecting inadequate funding and infrastructure for advanced research in the region. Many Latin American scientists continue to pursue education and careers in the U.S. or Europe.