United States: The Scientific America
Posted on November 27th, 2008
To this date, America is leading in terms of scientific discovery but since 2000, the country has seen what might be termed a scientific recession. Researches are hoping the new president makes good on his promises.
Federal investment in science has fallen for 5 consecutive years, stalling endeavor and leading to despondency among America’s scientists.
During Bush administration, scientific advice has been sidelined and subjected to sustained political manipulation. The Republican approach during the election campaign was not better. It is now wonder why the 76 American Nobel laureates publicly supported Barack Obama.
Barack Obama understands, at least, according to his campaign literature and rhetoric that science has the power to improve lives profoundly unlike the other politicians out there.
The nations that succeed in this highly competitive world of economy are those that foster technological advances and nurture intellectual strength.
Obama’s specific pledges are: to increase federal funding for science and engineering, which has halved as a share of GDP since 1970. He promised to double the budget for research of the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation and other key agencies over the next decade. It supports high-risk, high-reward research in computing, biotech, nanotechnology and other fields.
Second, he has promised to invest in education, guaranteeing students access to a strong science curriculum and increasing the importance of mathematics and physics in schools.
Third, there is his plan for a green economy and a promised investment of $150 billion over 10 years to create five million new jobs.
Fourth, more investment for America’s space programme, and in long-term research by the Pentagon’s Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency.
Lastly, new willingness to engage with genetic research: the head of Obama’s “transition team” has already signified that they will look again at stem-cell research, which President Bush rejected.
A feeling of hope that the new president will be much better for American science and there is no doubt that Obama sees an increased investment in science and technology as a way to introduce greener policies and help his country fight its way out of its economic turmoil.
