What's the Point?
17/12/10 23:19 Filed in: GenomeWeb Daily Scan
Submitted by S. Pelech - Kinexus on Fri, 12/17/2010 - 23:19.
Scientists are a segment of the general population that are cursed with extra curiosity, but often blessed with the opportunities to pursue their passions. Those of us engaged in biochemistry and molecular biology are carrying on the traditions of the world explorers over the millennia, but it is in the realm of the cell and molecules that we make our discoveries about nature. The value of basic research is well understood amongst us, and it is extensively practiced within the scientific community. For most of us, the intellectual satisfaction is sufficient to drive us on.
However, the bulk of the grant funding for biochemistry and molecular biology research comes from government and charitable agencies that are mandated to improving human health. As a consequence out of necessity, most biomedical researchers make insincere overtures in their grant applications that their proposed work has strong practical outcomes. Moreover, the vast majority of biomedical research is in fact supported by industry, which is mandated by its shareholders to ensure an economic return. Because most basic research is being performed in the guise of applied research, the actual performance of so called targeted biomedical research for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases has been extremely poor in terms of new tests and cures. This has created an atmosphere of disappointment from the general public that keeps giving and gets very little in return.
I just wish that there was a lot more honesty and accountability in biomedical research amongst the stake holders. Basic research should be encouraged and strongly funded for its own sake. Organizations that are supposed to be dedicated to health care should actually do so and support both academic and industrial scientists that are committed to this challenge.
Link to the original blog post.
Scientists are a segment of the general population that are cursed with extra curiosity, but often blessed with the opportunities to pursue their passions. Those of us engaged in biochemistry and molecular biology are carrying on the traditions of the world explorers over the millennia, but it is in the realm of the cell and molecules that we make our discoveries about nature. The value of basic research is well understood amongst us, and it is extensively practiced within the scientific community. For most of us, the intellectual satisfaction is sufficient to drive us on.
However, the bulk of the grant funding for biochemistry and molecular biology research comes from government and charitable agencies that are mandated to improving human health. As a consequence out of necessity, most biomedical researchers make insincere overtures in their grant applications that their proposed work has strong practical outcomes. Moreover, the vast majority of biomedical research is in fact supported by industry, which is mandated by its shareholders to ensure an economic return. Because most basic research is being performed in the guise of applied research, the actual performance of so called targeted biomedical research for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases has been extremely poor in terms of new tests and cures. This has created an atmosphere of disappointment from the general public that keeps giving and gets very little in return.
I just wish that there was a lot more honesty and accountability in biomedical research amongst the stake holders. Basic research should be encouraged and strongly funded for its own sake. Organizations that are supposed to be dedicated to health care should actually do so and support both academic and industrial scientists that are committed to this challenge.
Link to the original blog post.