Obama speaks on science - September 01, 2008
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has given a first glance at what science policy would look like under his presidency. Obama responded to a 14-part questionnaire from Science Debate 2008 on how he would address some big issues.
His answers will no doubt please scientists (most of whom were already supporters). Here's a rundown:
*Research funding: A 7%-per-year increase to the physical sciences, maths and engineering budget.
*Climate change: a carbon cap-and-trade system similar to those currently winding their way through congress.
*Energy: a multi-billion-dollar plan to invest in energy storage, greenhouse gas sequestration, and renewables.
*Stem cells: an expanded research programme for embryonic stem cell research, along with more oversight.
*Space: A refocusing of NASA onto earth observation missions and the resurrection of the National Aeronautics and Space Council to coordinate research.
Perhaps because Republican candidate John McCain has not yet responded, the answers have only gotten a little press (Science News is about the only one I see covering it). The bloggers are discussing en masse however, and they're making lots of happy noises.
Comments
The news sounds: "*Stem cells: an expanded research programme for embryonic stem cell research, along with more oversight". Obama have spoken on Science rather generally, at least as regards the stem cell utilization. In fact, once again a fundamental problem in studying these cells is clearly overlooked. I illustrate it already also in www.nature.com: http://blogs.nature.com/reports/theniche/2008/04/stemcell_skin_creams_a_san_die.html#comments
http://www.nature.com/news/2008/080130/full/451511a.html?q=2#last-comment
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/comments/display?contentID=AR2007041101736&start=41
http://www.nature.com/news/2008/080822/full/news.2008.1060.html?q=2#last-comment
Posted by: Sergio Stagnaro MD | September 1, 2008 09:08 PM