V. Effects of Brain Drain: A Range of Possibilities 



The complexities of brain drain as a general problem in contem- 

 porary affairs become more apparent when considering the possible 

 effects. "Wide disparities among nations frustrate attempts at con- 

 structing clear-cut categories that might permit reasonably accurate 

 analysis. 



DiffiGulties in Assessing Effects 



Political, social, cultural, and economic conditions, and levels of 

 development — factors that fundamentally determine migration — vary 

 in every nation and in every region of the world. Similarly variable 

 are the state of science and technology and development of education. 

 By nature the subject matter is elusive and unstructurable. 



In addition to this complexity is the fact that statistics on depart- 

 ures tell only part of the story. The statistical approach or a cost- 

 benefit, "balance of payments" approach, establishing a ledger of 

 losses and gains, fails to take into account the many intangibles, such 

 as negative and positive effects on prestige and morale within respec- 

 tive scientific cadres and communities.^^^ Losses and gains are often 

 concealed or intermixed, further complicating the problem of attempt- 

 ing to isolate one from the other and drawing up a neat balance sheet 

 in the manner of an accountant.^^^ As Dr. Frankel explained, the im- 

 pact of the brain drain on other countries "varies widely." 



Even from the point of view of other countries [he continued] it cannot be 

 assumed that the "brain drain" is invariably a problem calling for a remedy. To 

 say that a skilled person has come to our country is not necessarily to say that 

 some other country has suffered a loss. We do not know if his skills were needed 

 or whether, if needed, they would actually have been used. The impact on each 

 country has to be considered on a case-by-case basis. Indeed, even the types of 

 skills that should be counted as part of a "drain" will be different from country 

 to country, and from one time to another.*** 



Nor is the problem made any less complicated when, as in this study, 

 stress is given mainly to the LDCs in the belief that they experience 

 the greatest outflow of skilled manpower and seemingly experience, 

 therefore, the greatest loss, in contrast with the advanced countries 



2^ Rev. William J. Gibbons discusses this aspect of brain drain In, Hearings, House 

 Government Operations Committee, Brain Drain, 1968, pp. 9-10. 



**2 A report of the U.N. Secretary General on brain drain said : "It would appear from 

 the evidence in the various studies that in no country can the outflow of trained personnel 

 be regarded as having an entirely beneficial or entirely adverse effect. There are funda- 

 mental differences between countries and groups of countries, and between professions 

 and occupations as well as differences with regard to the dimensions of the problem, 

 the available local resources and potential to solve it and the approaches required in each 

 case to remedy the situation." United Nations Economic and Social Council, "Outflow of 

 Trained Personnel from Developing to Developed Countries," Report of the Secretary 

 General, Jan. 27, 1971, 9 pp. (United Nations Economic and Social Council. E/4820, 

 Summary.) 



'^ Hearings, Senate Judiciary Committee, International Migration of Talent and Skills, 

 1968, p. 14. 



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