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O Links Flu to Science Funding - not Global Warming
President Obama declared this morning that "science is more essential....than ever before" for the nation's security, health, and economy. And the proof, he said, is the swine flu outbreak that has killed more than 100 in Mexico and shown up in the United States, though with no fatalities yet.Could've left off the last five words, or the last word, but it sells more papers this way. Obama told the National Academy of Sciences that he is closely monitoring the outbreak, which he called a "cause for concern, but not a cause for alarm." The public health emergency was declared Sunday as a precaution, he said, to make sure officials have everything they need to contain the illness. The Feds to the Rescue! More funding! Less taxes! The president's speech was a follow-up to his decision last month to reverse President Bush's limits on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research - and an accompanying pledge to take the politics out of science. Except for the first paragraph. He repeated that promise this morning - and also announced a pledge to increase research and scientific funding to a level equal to that during the space race to the moon, amounting to 3 percent of the gross domestic product. I wonder if NASA is included in that 3%, or if they get their own 3%? In his speech, Obama also announced a new President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, which will help "formulate policy in the many areas where understanding of science, technology, and innovation is key to strengthening our economy and forming policy that works for the American people," the White House said. "This council represents leaders from many scientific disciplines who will bring a diversity of experience and views. I will charge PCAST with advising me about national strategies to nurture and sustain a culture of scientific innovation," Obama said. Posted by: Bobby 2009-04-28 |
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