News: Politics wins out over science: the New York Times on how the government shutdown is impeding the practice of science
Everyone should read this article: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/10/health/in-shutdown-clinical-trial-enrollment-slows-but-doesnt-halt.html?smid=pl-share
While the government takes their time (and takes OUR time) debating budget and resolving differences in opinion by shutting everything down, researchers are forced to halt important studies. That means no new funding for research, a severe (94%) decrease in patients admitted to clinical trials, and impaired monitoring of health issues around the globe. This list is just the tip of the iceberg.
While science as a whole in America has not stopped completely, it is severely hindered without government funding. A huge number of researchers rely on government support to pursue their research and this includes scientists involved in disease control. While this shutdown might only last a few weeks (LET'S HOPE), its effects will be felt throughout the year and beyond as scientists lose valuable data, as exemplified by this article about scientists studying the antarctica, and as scientific growth is stunted.
While the government takes their time (and takes OUR time) debating budget and resolving differences in opinion by shutting everything down, researchers are forced to halt important studies. That means no new funding for research, a severe (94%) decrease in patients admitted to clinical trials, and impaired monitoring of health issues around the globe. This list is just the tip of the iceberg.
While science as a whole in America has not stopped completely, it is severely hindered without government funding. A huge number of researchers rely on government support to pursue their research and this includes scientists involved in disease control. While this shutdown might only last a few weeks (LET'S HOPE), its effects will be felt throughout the year and beyond as scientists lose valuable data, as exemplified by this article about scientists studying the antarctica, and as scientific growth is stunted.