Science FundingA Site Map
of the Debate
| CUTTING EDGE | |
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Science Funding A Site Map of the Debate | |
| (Posted June 26, 1998 · Issue 33) |
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Many U.S. baby-boomer scientists began their careers in research "gardens of plenty," due largely to the support of the federal government. Not so for the generation Xers, many of whom have received their training at a time of relatively reduced governmental support. Now, because of successful deficit reduction programs that have created a surplus of funds, the federal government is considering substantially increasing the budgets of agencies such as the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. But that same government is entertaining many other meritorious uses of the same funds, as well as possible tax cuts.
At this pivotal moment, many questions need to be considered: Is there are need for sizeable increases in funding for biological and medical research in the United States? If so, how should the money be apportioned among agencies? Is there redundancy among agencies? More fundamentally, are there inherent limitations that go along with a vast majority of research funds coming from governmental rather than private sources?
To discuss these questions, HMS Beagle hosted a moderated debate, "Science Funding at a Crossroads." Read the debate and you'll find that not all researchers are of a single mind about the relative merits and limitations of governmental support of research. You'll also learn about origins and evolution of government-supported research. Finally, you'll be given information about newly developing advocacy groups that facilitate exchanges of ideas and opinions between scientists and their elected officials.
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Andrzej Krauze is an illustrator, poster maker, cartoonist, and painter who illustrates regularly for HMS Beagle, The Guardian, The Sunday Telegraph, Bookseller, and New Statesman.
