For the last 80 years, the United States has cemented its status as a global leader in scientific research and innovation. Yet this remarkable accomplishment has been led largely by the strong hand of government funding. A series of recent policy changes made during President Donald Trump’s administration are causing widespread concern. Their fear is not for themselves, but for the country’s future place in global research and development. Experts argue that these shifts could undermine the very foundation that has allowed the U.S. to maintain its status as a research hub.
Then the Trump administration came along and further restricted immigration and slashed money for scientific research. Even more alarming, many scientists claim these efforts damage the future of scientific discovery. These shortsighted measures will only further inhibit the work and partnerships of talented, international scientists with American researchers, choking innovation in the process. Now, these decisions are beginning to emerge in their more negative effects. At the same time, there are mounting worries that America is gradually playing away its competitive advantage on the global playing field.
Holden Thorp, the editor of Science, the most prestigious of journals, has been almost apoplectic about this trend. He is also the former chancellor of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He makes the case that the Trump administration’s overhaul of the regulations will do irreparable damage to science in the United States. These impacts would be extensive and damaging.
“This is bad for science in general, and also for the US role in innovation,” – Holden Thorp
As funding for scientific research declines, experts warn that the U.S. risks falling behind other countries that are investing heavily in research and development. Nations such as China are overtaking the United States in a range of scientific areas. This rapid progress is a very real danger to America’s leadership in innovation.
Thorp explains that unnecessary restrictive immigration policies for skilled, budding scientists can be very prohibitive. This isolation handcuffs U.S. institutions, restricting their own access to global talent pools. This separation can prevent large, collaborative efforts that have in the past propelled major discoveries in science and technology.
Researchers are having operational challenges. For them, the top concern is that the continued absence of strong federal backing for science will keep young scientists from entering research careers. As funding gets tighter, many will look for greener pastures, leading to even more erosion of U.S. scientific exceptionalism.
