Science's Call to Arms

In case anyone was wondering, I am far from alone in my call for a new science policy in the coming administration. It is the topic of the editorial in a recent issue of Science Magazine America’s premier scientific journal:

For the past 7 years, the United States has had a presidential administration where science has had little place at the table. We have had a president opposed to embryonic stem cell research and in favor of teaching intelligent design. We have had an administration that at times has suppressed, rewritten, ignored, or abused scientific research. At a time when scientific opportunity has never been greater, we have had five straight years of inadequate increases for U.S. research agencies, which for some like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) means decreases after inflation.

All of this has been devastating for the scientific community; has undermined the future of our economy, which depends on innovation; and has slowed progress toward better health and greater longevity for people around the world.

Dr. Porter, the editorialist, goes on to ask

So if you are a U.S. scientist, what should you do now?

He offers a number of ideas, most of which are probably not practical for a graduate student like myself (“volunteer to advise … candidates on science matters and issues.”).

The one that is most practical and which anybody can do is to promote ScienceDebate2008.com. He acknowledges that the program’s goal — a presidential debate dedicated to science — will not be accomplished in 2008, bu the hope is to signal to the media and to politicians that people care about science and science policy.

And who knows? Maybe there will be a science debate is 2012?

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October 10, 2008

One Response to Science's Call to Arms

  1. Fred Bortz October 10, 2008 at 8:07 am #

    I had been blogging about ScienceDebate2008, but I am taking a break from blogging. I’m about to post a notice to that effect on my blog, so I’m glad you picked up the torch on this.

    Your comments about the current administration are well taken. I have two book reviews that relate to that specifically. The reviews include a bit of critique as well as praise, but I certainly consider the books an important contribution to the science policy discussion.

    The Republican War on Science by Chris Mooney

    and

    Censoring Science by Mark Bowen

    Fred Bortz — Science and technology books for young readers (www.fredbortz.com) and Science book reviews (www.scienceshelf.com)