As the United States prepares for a new presidential administration, Nautilus and the Aspen Institute asked eminent scientists nationwide to offer recommendations for its science and technology agenda. Many group members called for additional investment in science, arguing that research is more essential than ever for navigating the nation’s complex challenges, particularly in a society marked by deep political divisions.
In his introduction, Aaron F. Mertz, the executive director for science and society at the Aspen Institute, singled out a particular issue that science faces — rampant anti-science propaganda: “Our respondents see the rise of anti-science rhetoric as a dire threat to the future of the U.S. They raise alarm over growing irrationality and political manipulation of scientific facts in American society and around the world. This dangerous trend not only jeopardizes the country’s ability to advance knowledge but also undermines the capacity to confront global crises such as public health emergencies.”
Those concerns about anti-science rhetoric were voiced before former president Donald Trump said this at an October campaign rally about unhinged Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has aggressively promoted unscientific ideas about nutrition and vaccines for decades: “I’m going to let him go wild on health. … I’m going to let him go wild on the food. I’m going to let him go wild on the medicines.”
The scientists offered a range of recommendations to bolster American science and ensure it is used effectively to advance knowledge and address societal problems. Their essential themes:
—Increased Investment in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, to which I would add Medicine) Education: The experts advocate a transformative shift in STEM education, emphasizing creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving over rote memorization. They also call for greater diversity and inclusion in the scientific workforce. (However, I wish they had emphasized excellence and merit over diversity and inclusion.)
—Enhanced Support for Scientific Research: The scientists urge increased funding for fundamental and applied research, arguing that both are essential for addressing complex challenges like climate change and disease.
—Prioritization of Evidence-Based Policymaking: The experts emphasize the importance of basing government policies on sound scientific evidence rather than political ideology, vox populi or personal beliefs. This is especially critical considering the exorbitant spending on futile solutions to problems like climate change and the nation’s burgeoning energy requirements and the possible influence of Robert F. Kennedy’s crank science on federal policy.
—Protection of Scientists and Scientific Institutions: The experts call for measures to protect scientists from harassment and intimidation and to ensure the integrity of scientific institutions.
—My addition: Improved quality control of scientific publishing. We need to pay more attention to reducing irreproducible published research, flawed “peer review” of journal submissions, and “paper mills” that churn out worthless articles.
The recommendations from the science luminaries offer a compelling and single-minded vision for a future in which science plays a central role in addressing the nation’s and the world’s most pressing challenges. By investing in scientific research, education and infrastructure, along with evidence-based policymaking, the United States can continue to be a global leader in critical innovation.
