Money is the source of all the world’s problems, including those in the science realm. Cash-flow for scientific research is always in high demand. However, some people believe, including the author of “Innovation versus science”, that the current United States’ economic recession will result in budget cuts to scientific funding. Although this article gives strong reasoning why some research programs might suffer, the author of “UNC got 803M for Research in Past Year” argues that some school research programs are thriving even more than before.
The author of “Innovation Versus Science” is strongly convinced that “harder economic times will force government to ask tough questions about their investments in research” (Innovation versus science). S/He explains how for the past twenty years scientific research has enjoyed abundant government funding. However, with the recent economic downturn, s/he believes that the “era of science and technology policy may now be drawing to a close” (Innovation versus science). The author backs up his/her ideas with the reasoning that the government is more “prone to…support innovation through technology programmes, than…basic science” (Innovation versus science). Today’s government is more likely put their money in funding advances in technology, especially military advancements, rather than basic laboratory research. The reasoning behind this is that the people would rather put their money towards something that has direct results rather than throw money at an idea of a scientist that may lead them nowhere. Further evidence of research funding cuts can be found in The Cornell Daily Sun. The author of the article “NIH Funding May Hurt Research at Cornell Medical School”, Margaret Yoder, explains how the economic downturn has affected the research of Cornell University Medical School. Some of the cuts made resulted in “professors [spending] less time in the lab” impacting any developments they may be working on (Yoder, M). This just goes to show that the economic state of our country truly is causing funding problems for some groups and colleges.
Not all universities are in a bind however. A more recent article, “Unc got $803M for research in past year”, describes the affluence UNC-Chapel Hill scientific research has had in recent years. It tells about how UNC posted “a 12 percent increase over the $716 million” they received the year before (Herald Sun). Among the top UNC groups receiving money were “Lineberger Compreensive Cancer Center ($60.6million) and the Carolina Population Center ($47.7 million)” (Herald Sun). And to argue the fact that the government is cutting spending on research, this article claims that “contracts and grants come primarily from the federal government—especially the National Institutes of Health” (Herald Sun). With all the commotion about federal cuts, this article shines a light on the depressing subject saying that there is still plenty being done, but you just have to be at the right place. This is why UNC is the place to be. Even when other premier universities are struggling to maintain their reputation, The University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill continues to thrive.
“Innovation versus science and NIH funding cuts may hurt research at cornell medical school” present several relevant arguments regarding the impact the economy has on research of schools and other groups. But regardless of all this evidence, UNC- Chapel Hill research flourishes, reaching record amounts of funding money. Clearly the second article gives a prime counterpoint to the first by simply proving its main argument wrong with actual figures. The fact that even in the worst economic conditions, our school continues to grow, develop and improve. This exemplifies the capabilities and opportunities UNC-Chapel Hill has to offer to current and future students.
. "Editorial." Innovation versus science. Nature Publishing group, 2007. Web. 27Jan 2012. http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v448/n7156/full/448839a.html.
"UNC got $803M for research in past year." Herald Sun [Durham, NC] 2010, n. pag. Web. 6 Feb. 2012. <http://www.heraldsun.com/view/full_story/9460398/article-UNC-got--803M-for-research-in-past-year
Yoder, M. Nih funding cuts may hurt research at cornell meical school 27 January 2012, n. pag. 0. <http://cornellsun.com/node/49420>.
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