Americans Don’t Want Research Cuts. Will Politicians Listen?
Read the full article in The Boston Globe
In response to the Feb. 15, front-page article “Flight of the scientists: Trump policies are driving out researchers, eroding Boston’s standing as a hub for landmark discoveries”:
The Boston Globe’s survey paints a stark picture of what is happening to the science and innovation ecosystem in Massachusetts due to an increasingly unstable environment for federally funded research. Massachusetts is not the only state faced with this crisis; the turmoil is affecting communities across the country. But it is not what Americans want.
A newly released public opinion survey reveals that about half of Americans say they are informed about disruptions to research, and the vast majority (83 percent) of those who say they are aware are concerned.
Further, nearly 7 in 10 Americans say Congress should invest more taxpayer dollars to advance science and technology. When looking to the future, Americans say medical progress should be among our nation’s top three priorities over the next 50 years.
By pausing, cutting, or otherwise hampering research, we risk making Americans sicker.
I urge lawmakers to listen to the American public. Across the political spectrum, 7 in 10 Americans say they would be more likely to support a candidate who favors increased spending on medical and health research.
Now is the time to accelerate research and support scientists, not disrupt their lifesaving work. Today’s patients and future generations depend on it.