Science for Science's Sake

It appears that the president is about to reverse the ban on federal funding of embryonic stem cell research that was instituted by his predecessor in 2001. While this is not unexpected it is a little disconcerting that, after what has been learned about the use of adult stem cells for similar research, the decision is being hailed as the only thing stopping us from curing Parkinson's, cancer, and growing new organs.

To refresh everyone's memories, President Bush, in a rather dramatic address to the nation in August 2001, made his case for his decision to refuse federal funding for this research. His decision was hailed by pro-life groups and decried by the scientific community. They paraded Michael J. Fox on TV, purposely off his medication, saying that he would not be cured because of the evil George W. Bush. The press as willing sycophants of the scientific community (they want to be perceived as smart and progressive, too) bashed Bush for not funding the research. It was entertaining TV regardless of the accuracy the material that was presented.

The important thing that was lost in the entire argument is this: Bush's decision only affected FEDERAL funding of the research. Privately funded research was going on and continued to be supported. Why was it so important that our federal government invest our tax dollars in this research? More to the point what is the justification of federal funding of any scientific or research project? Based on the nature of some of the grants funded the answer to the question is little or none! Our universities are full of very intelligent people that spend all of their time writing grant applications for federal funding of their specific research projects. They make wonderful arguments about how important the research is and how mankind will be saved or lost with or without the funding. They package their grant application up, tie a bow on it, and send it to Washington to some faceless bureaucrat that reads it (I hope), may or may not understand it, and sends it on for his boss to approve. His boss, who also probably does not understand it, passes it on because they have "X" number of dollars to dole out and if they don't spend it all their funding will be cut next year. And if his funding is cut his power is likewise and the likelihood of his getting a promotion with a bigger budget and more power is diminished.

I am not saying that federal funding of scientific research should be stopped. I just believe that the federal government is ill-equipped to evaluate the requests for plausibility. The private sector, with that evil profit motive ever present, has a better handle on what is worthwhile research and what is pouring money down a hole. That is because R & D budgets have to be justified and projects have to be defended to boards that have stockholders looking over their shoulders. Does this mean that valuable projects are not funded? Probably. But this means that many more projects of dubious value never get funded. And that is the way it should be. Let's face it, research projects are like children to their owners and we all think our own children are the best. The fact is that they are not and the taxpayer should not have to give you money to spare the scientists' feelings.

Will embryonic stem cell research produce the next great scientific breakthrough? I hope so. If we are going to fund it I want it to succeed. I work every day to and pay more taxes than the scientists will ever pay and I hate to see my money wasted. But I never have no ever will support the destruction of one human life to save another.