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The Threat Of 'Pork-Barrel' Science |
| Section: MODERN THOUGHT / SCIENCE FUNDING |
| Author: Frederick Seitz |
| Publication: The world & I online |
| Issue Date: 1/1/1993 |
| Size: 3,492 Words, 21,336 Characters |
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Ever since World War II, the advance of science in our country has depended increasingly, although not entirely, upon federal subsidies. Thus, in turn, has focused more and more attention on public support for science, particularly during a period of recession when every source of expenditure is being examined.
It must be emphasized at the outset that the days when good scientific results could be obtained with string and sealing wax are gone because scientific research is being extended ever deeper into the natural world. For example, the cost of equipping a reasonably good but not extravagant biochemistry laboratory is in the range of several million dollars. The same it true in the area designated as condensed matter physics.
By contrast, the investment needed to work at the v...
. . .
...ast year.
The practice is particularly dangerous because it shows every sign of growing rapidly, without any rational control. Should every congressman in the future decide that his or her district merits several million dollars worth of scientific pork in each congressional session, the sum total could completely destroy any attempt to build up a rational national budget for science. vbcrlf
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