Nobel laureate endorses Obama’s research priorities

TO THE EDITOR:

On Monday scientists all over the world joined the Nobel Prize Committee in recognizing the achievements of two French scientists and one German scientist for discovering the viruses that lead to AIDS and to cancer of the cervix and the uterus.

Discoveries of such importance take years of dedicated effort and require uninterrupted financial support to sustain long periods of difficult research.

The citizens of North Carolina and our state government have shown great foresight in developing an infrastructure that supports a world class endeavor in biotechnology. The Research Triangle is a well recognized example of this leadership of which we can all be proud. Its development has brought many millions of dollars of new income to our state.

We need to have the same quality of leadership at a national level. The future prospects of our country depend on our ability to push the envelope of science and technology.

We cannot rest on past successes, nor can we allow our current severe and very real financial problems to interrupt or postpone the basic research needed for our future financial well being and the health of ourselves and our children. Innovation and new ideas are our future.

The statements made by the two major candidates for president of the United States of America allow us to see who will support the needed research.

Sen. Obama says, “I will increase funding for basic research, physical and life sciences, mathematics and engineering at a rate that would double basic research budgets over the next decade.”

Sen. McCain says, “I will impose a one-year spending freeze on every agency of the federal government, excepting only national defense, the care of our veterans, and a few critical priorities.”

The future will not wait a year to be funded. Vote for the candidate who sees where our future lies.



Oliver Smithies

2007 Nobel Prize winner

Professor of Pathology and Lab Medicine