2014 Articles

The imperative to invest in science has never been greater

Carethers, John M.; Coughlin, Shaun; Diamond, Betty; Erzurum, Serpil; Fried, Linda P.; Jameson, J. Larry; Kaushansky, Kenneth; Klotman, Mary E.; Lemon, Stanley; Mitchell, Beverly; Rothman, Paul; Sawyers, Charles; Seidman, Christine; Somlo, Stefan

In order to sustain and improve the health of Americans, to ensure our ability to overcome new health challenges, and to realize the economic benefits of a vigorous scientific economy, we encourage our government to implement three actions. First, establish predictable, managed growth in the US scientific enterprise by establishing a sustainable and predictable real annual increase in science funding. This will require additional investments in the proven NIH-university partnership to maintain our world-leading position in biomedical science. Second, preserve the current cadre of well-trained junior scientists, including physician-scientists, and maintain a pipeline of young scientists motivated to innovate and improve health. Third, analyze changing health needs and priorities for health science–related investments in order to address ongoing shifts in population demographics and diseases, opportunities for improved prevention or treatment, and the availability of new scientific tools and disciplines. It is in the nation’s best interests -- for good health, for a robust economy, and for scientific leadership -- to advocate for strong federal support of biomedical science in America’s great research universities. Translation of this science yields enormous benefits to our nation’s health and to the economy.