Obama & Science
It was an issue that did not drive polls or voter behavior. It was an issue that did not bring a lot of interest from policy wonks or political pundits. But science is one issue that has significant impact on individual, cultural, and national growth and security. If one takes a long-term strategic view of America, investment, education and training in science will profit America financially.
The Bush administration led a war on science, especially in the areas of stem-cell research and global warming. Even in areas such as the teaching of creationism in schools, the Endangered Species Act, and NASA, there is a profound anti-science attitude exhibited by the current administration. Economic security, as well as national security, result from innovative and competitive scientific and technological leadership.
But now Obama is the President-elect, and I am convinced that there will be a significant change in direction in America’s science policy. In early October, Obama released a letter that clearly states his positions on the Federal government’s role in science. He intends to appoint an individuals to provide advice and establish policy on science and technology. He wants to remove any attempts to “distort or ignore scientific research.” This is a clear first step in rebuilding the country’s scientific position. Early in the campaign for president, he answered several questions posed by scientists, which outlined his point of view.
In two key scientific areas, Obama has established positions that are a clear break from Bush:
There is a sea change for science with the election of Barack Obama. I know how politicians work, and the rhetoric we hear before the election is usually not the one they use in governing, but the clouds were so dark under George W Bush, I think most scientists are wildly optimistic that there is significant clearing in the forecast. Obama did not ignore science in his victory speech, reminding us that, “A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination.”
I can’t wait.
By Michael W Simpson
The Bush administration led a war on science, especially in the areas of stem-cell research and global warming. Even in areas such as the teaching of creationism in schools, the Endangered Species Act, and NASA, there is a profound anti-science attitude exhibited by the current administration. Economic security, as well as national security, result from innovative and competitive scientific and technological leadership.
But now Obama is the President-elect, and I am convinced that there will be a significant change in direction in America’s science policy. In early October, Obama released a letter that clearly states his positions on the Federal government’s role in science. He intends to appoint an individuals to provide advice and establish policy on science and technology. He wants to remove any attempts to “distort or ignore scientific research.” This is a clear first step in rebuilding the country’s scientific position. Early in the campaign for president, he answered several questions posed by scientists, which outlined his point of view.
In two key scientific areas, Obama has established positions that are a clear break from Bush:
- Stem Cell research. This policy may be reversed by default, since Congress wants this change prior to Obama’s election. Since Bush won’t be in office to veto any legislation, and both houses of Congress are controlled by Democrats, we can expect that policy will change soon after the change of power. In addition, Obama’s opinion on embryonic stem cells is quite clear–”As president, I will lift the current administration’s ban on federal funding of research on embryonic stem cell lines created after August 9, 2001 through executive order, and I will ensure that all research on stem cells is conducted ethically and with rigorous oversight.”
- Global warming. This doesn’t require much analysis. He’s not a global warming denialist, so we can expect change here. This author is a firm capitalist, so Obama’s proposal for trading of carbon credits is a great first step. It is more important that Obama has also stated that he supports finding solutions to the country’s, and maybe the world’s, challenges in increasing energy efficiency, finding alternative sources of energy, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
There is a sea change for science with the election of Barack Obama. I know how politicians work, and the rhetoric we hear before the election is usually not the one they use in governing, but the clouds were so dark under George W Bush, I think most scientists are wildly optimistic that there is significant clearing in the forecast. Obama did not ignore science in his victory speech, reminding us that, “A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination.”
I can’t wait.
By Michael W Simpson