Editorial: More Than Symbolism, March For Science a Matter of Life and Death

San Jose Mercury News ^ | April 15, 2017

[nickcarraway]

One of the earmarks of a thriving nation is respect for its scientific community.

Here’s how bad things are in America today: Scientists feel so under siege, they have called for a March for Science on Earth Day, April 22.

Of all places, the Bay Area should respond in force. We know the vital role scientific research plays not only in our economy but our very lives.

For most of the past century, the United States’ funding of basic scientific research yielded technological breakthroughs that made it the envy of the world. “Yankee ingenuity,” as it was called, led to an unprecedented era of prosperity.

But now evidence-based research is under attack to a stunning degree. Researchers’ budgets are shrinking fast, and when politicians decide scientific conclusions are not to their liking they simply shut down that line of research.

Science never should be a partisan issue. It is exploratory in nature. Scientific deductions are expected to raise questions and spark honest debate. But that’s where peer review comes in to examine the findings and even try to duplicate the process that led to them. Doubt about results of experiments and research should inspire more investigation, not suppress it.

This is the message scientists must bring to the April 22 march.

President Trump’s proposed budget cuts spending on the National Institutes of Health by 18 percent, making it one of the hardest hit research agencies. It’s the NIH that is responsible for exploring medical breakthroughs that require federal funding to collect data without interruption for a period of years — work private companies can’t or won’t fund.

The NIH is also our first line of defense against frightening new diseases, like Ebola and Zika. Crippling it sure doesn’t seem like putting “America first.”

[headstamp 2]

[Scientists feel so under siege]

Its tough when you forsake science for politics. You become fair game.

[Bob434]

squeeky little partisan scientists afraid their gig is up complaining about partisanship- Sorry folks- climate change is not caused by man- throw your temper tantrums now- get them all out of the way now- make room for reality- The sooner you all get it over with, the sooner your embarrassing antics will end

[PROCON]

Science isn't about science in too many cases:

[onedoug]

Science is physics and mathematics. Every thing else springs from those two disciplines, eventually degrading to witch doctoring and climatology.

[Forgotten Amendments]

Everyone remembers Ike’s farewell address warning of the military/industrial complex. We never are told that he made the same prophetic warning about government controlling scientific and medical research.

[JPJones]

“This is the message scientists must bring to the April 22 march. “

Lenin’s Birthday.

[Frank_2001]

Actually, the first line of defense against “frightening new diseases” is SECURING THE FRIGGIN’ BORDERS!!!! Import the Third World, get Third World illnesses!!!!!