On December 3, Las Tunas doctors celebrate Latin American Medicine Day. 26Digital joins the tribute with an interview with Dr. Nora Orive, personality of Genetics in Cuba and one of the authors of the Procedures Manual of that medical branch

Las Tunas.- She's self-absorbed on the computer. Under the glasses, her restless eyes seem to discover something interesting. The smile that is drawn on her face brings confirmation. She is a woman eager for knowledge, despite the many she has about the fascinating world of genetics. Her name: Nora Orive Rodríguez.

At first glance she seems a person of a strong, strict character. And yes, it is; but nothing has to do with hardness of heart. She owns an immeasurable sensibility that spreads with the will to do in pursuit of social welfare. Rightly, today she is among the personalities of Human Genetics in Cuba, a distinction recently granted by the National Scientific Society of that specialty.

We talked in her small office of the Provincial Center of Genetics. There I discovered that, to her, that site represents more than a mere workspace. It could be defined as an extension of her home, of her life. On the desk, a picture with the image of the daughters makes a little more "hers" the place where she spends much of the time deciphering data.

Coffee in between, I turned on the recorder with the certainty that I would enjoy accompanying hers history.

How did you spend your childhood? Did it influence the human being you are today?

"My childhood was good. At home I was the little spoiled, even, my sister, eight years old, always protected me with a maternal instinct. I think I had to live one of the best stages that a pioneer in Cuba could aspire to, from the point of view of values.

My parents are workers, benefited from the triumph of the Revolution, and they gave me a very simple education, but full of principles. For that reason I turned out to be a fulfilling student and held positions at the José Martí Pioneer Organization.

"I had the great opportunity to be very close to Fidel in the first Pioneer Assembly, preamble of the congresses. That meeting marked me for good, because I won in depth of thought to defend the revolutionary process more vigorously. Precisely, all that formation exerted great influence on my current projections.

In a word, what did you learn from your mom?

Constancy

What about your dad?

Honesty

Do you have something or someone to inspire you?

Yes, Fidel.

Your great passion?

Study. I believe that a health professional that lacks humanism and desire to learn will lag behind; and cannot live up to the times.

What do you admire most about a person?

Good intention and I also value intelligence.

ONE MOLECULE, ANOTHER MOLECULE

Against all odds, Nora says "Medicine was not the career I wanted." She never imagined herself with the stethoscope around her neck, nor in an Emergencies consultation. She was passionate about Molecular Biology and research.

It was not until she entered to the Luis Urquiza that a stroke of "luck" made her modify her initial aspiration. The professors advised her to opt for Medicine, as it has a broad professional profile and at the same time, she could devote herself to an essential branch of Biology: Genetics.

From the first years of the race he linked with the branch in the movement of assistant students. He knew how difficult it was to fulfill his purposes, but he succeeded.

Over time s learned that she could investigate in different fields without locking herself in a laboratory, just as she dreamed as a teenager. She even confesses me that today she prefers genetic studies at the population level, the causes of phenomena and the way of transforming elements in favor of society.

What value do you give to genetics?

In my opinion, in terms of human health, of biological evolution, genetics is the essence of everything. The origin of life, the biological and human variability have their explanation there. No one expresses diseases in the same way and the cause is in the genes.

Increasingly we move away from empiricism and approach the essences from science. The point will come when only in this specialty will the understanding of all diseases and human behavior be found.

Advances bring new challenges

"Science has allowed access to genetic information, to DNA, not only to know it, but also to modify it. And the fact that this possibility exists has implications for health from the social and individual point of view. Making good use of these options and knowledge represent a great challenge, which today demands specialists with and extraordinary training in values ​​and ethical principles.

"Another challenge is to increase the genetic culture of the population. We feel totally responsible for the ignorance of society, despite the fact that the country has created conditions to work in that direction. Many people think that there is no solution in genetic issues, and yes there is, but since prevention. "

What do you enjoy being a doctor?

"At this moment in my life I enjoy everything. This medical branch has its peculiarity, and it is that patients do not spend fleetingly, but remain with you for a long period. Being rare and chronic diseases, people and system are marked.

"It is common for someone to go to Emergencies for tonsillitis and not be aware of the name of the assistance doctor. In terms of genetics, it is quite the opposite, patients know geneticists well and we get to form excellent relationships, be friends, and treat us like family. It really is a wonderful experience. "

"Those who I attend to more than once, do not call me Doctor, they prefer to call me Norita."

BEING HAPPY...

At home, she is seen in the kitchen and in other household chores, although she confesses that she never completely separates studies. "I never manage to completely disengage, even if I am on vacation; Genetics is not just a profession, but an essential part of my existence."

Beyond that passion there is something sacred to Norita: the family. She can't hide her pride for her daughters. They are, without a doubt, the best of her. The elder studies Agronomy, motivated by a family project, and the little one follows her steps in Medicine.

How much has maternity contributed to the profession?

If there is something good that can happen to a geneticist it is to have children; without encouragement to hurt any colleague. Only who is a mother can put herself in the shoes of a pregnant woman and calculate the dimension of having a child with a genetic problem.

Motherhood has benefited me as a doctor and human being.

What would you recommend to current generations?

“I would tell them not to lose perspective. Existence does not depend solely on a specific economic or political situation. You have to rescue spirituality and concentrate on being happy, under any circumstances. It is time to perceive the good things and leave in the background what affects personal fulfillment.

I think that as new professionals seek explanations from science, they can better understand human nature and social phenomena. And that is only achieved through constant study.”

I say goodbye and carry with me the emotion that broke her words and moistened her eyes more than once. I think then, how much sacrifice involves a prolific and recognized research work from this small province. Even so, it is an attainable goal. Nora, with her "genetics" of a brave woman, is an example.