Science wins

In the spring of this year, a group of scientists was notified of the achievement of their colleague, an employee of the University of California Knudsen, who published a description of a new variety of lichen bright orange. He was lucky enough to find him back in 2007 on the island of Santa Rosa (in California), but only in March 2009 he published materials, and also explained his choice of name - “ Caloplaca Obamae ” -“ Obama lichen ”! This was done by Knudsen in gratitude to the new president of the United States "I will support science for him." So in this context of the next product of the symbiotic association of microscopic mushrooms and green algae and/or cyanobacteria, forming the layout (talloma) of a certain structure, not just a lichen, but a kind of bay wreath on the head of a political triumph received from the hands of scientists.

Caloplaca Obamae !

The United States leads in the world in many areas, in particular, they account for 40% of the total expenses for research and development, they have 70% of the Nobel laureates, and in the World Rating of forty best universities (in terms of quality of education and research), 75% are in a new light. But during the presidency of Bush, voices were increasingly heard that reproached the White House in the loss of analytical ability and a significant decrease in the level of expert assessments when making decisions regarding domestic and foreign policy. Another contradiction was also noted by the intellectual community - while America leads in science and technology, which, incidentally, is often due to its political and ideological supremacy, the administration of J. Busha often demonstrated some contempt with respect to science. All this allowed the President of the Center for progressive reforms to Rena Steinzor to even declare the “active sabotage” by the US administration, which led to the devaluation of science within the government, so that scientists from the center proposed a nine -fingered plan, entitled in the best traditions of Alarmist movements - “ salvation of science from politics ”.

About our views on science (here we will talk about “Science”, which includes accurate and applied sciences - Natural, Formal, Applied Sciences - from mathematical analysis, and ending with taxonomy, including lichens), and not about “Humanities”, Humanitarian sciences) Barack Odama) He had the opportunity, and and had to repeatedly speak out during the election campaign. First of all, he announced the need to doubling federal expenses for fundamental research; on the depolitization of science, assuring the Americans that his government will not allow more distortions of scientific results for ideological reasons; I did not ignore the support of national minorities in science; I affected the need to cancel the ban on financing from federal means of research of stem cells introduced by Bush in 2001.

The last topic, despite its seemingly private character, played and continues to play an important role in many political debate. Most of the Americans supported research in this area, since scientists promised the healing of the nation (and all of humanity) from many diseases, but George Bush took advantage of the veto for the first time in six years of his presidency and rejected the law adopted by the Senate. The document that caused his disapproval provided for the release of additional funds for the study of stem cells taken from human embryos. Here they are, and not problems with financing, and served as a stumbling block on the path of evolution of science.

In November 2007, two American screenwriters, physicist, marine biologist, philosopher and scientific journalist began to restore the “dialogue between science and politics”, designating their mission “ Scientific Debats 2008 ” (“Science Debate 2008”), calling for discussion not so much their colleagues as presidential candidates. This group of intellectuals considered its role, among other things, and as a public expression of concern to the fate of science in the United States. The initiative was quickly picked up by society, so for a short time about forty thousand scientists and engineers joined their appeal, including just worrying for the future of citizens, many scientific organizations, a dozen Nobel laureates, business representatives, and more than 100 American universities. In the course of the case, about three and a half thousand questions were collected to presidential candidates regarding science and future America.

The Science Debate 2008 community in cooperation with scientists and engineers for America, the National Academy, the Council for competitiveness and other organizations processed issues, identified 14 from them, which were to answer the presidential candidates. These questions touched the following problems: 1) innovation, 2) climate change, 3) energy, 4) education, 5) national security, 6) global epidemics and biological security, 7) genetics, 8) stem cells, 9) the state of oceans, 10) water, 11) space, 12) the integrity of science, 13) research, 14) health.

War on Science

The twelfth question dedicated to the problem of “ Scientifica deserves special attention, in the context of the topic we are considering Integrity ”... Here amazingly all shades of the meanings of the word“ Integrity ”were intertwined: honesty, fullness, integrity, untouched, integrity, purity, directness, immunity. Only the totality of these synonyms is able to determine the semantics of the entire phrase that expresses the problem, which has recently been given special attention in the States, and Obama gained when trying to solve it - even at the level of declarations - additional points of voters, placed a considerable part of the scientific community.

The American “ Union of Concerned Scientists ) played a significant role in the formulation of this problem (“ Scientific Integrity ”). The reason for the alarm was numerous cases of political intervention in science undertaken by the federal government. Many scientists, according to the “Union” reports, working for the federal government, soon noted that certain manipulations are made with their work, facts or conclusions are distorted, direct or indirect pressure is on the course of research, federal agencies systematically limit the public and politicians in access to critical information.

In order to make the conviction of the causes of his anxiety, the Union of Concerned Scientists presented a systematic list of interventions to science policies admitted during the J. Bush administration, issuing it from A to I by political intervention in science (The A to Z Guide to Political Interference in Science) and distributing Negative material in alphabetical order, on problems, chronologically (from 2001 to 2008), in federal agencies. These data were presented for greater clarity graphically, and in the form of Mendeleev’s table, with their “families”, highlighted in color and based on the types of intervention by the government: the environment, public health, pollution and infection, national security. Systematic and visibility played a role, directing public discontent in the right direction (in the name of progress under the auspices of the democrats), so that more than 15,000 scientists, including 52 Nobel laureates, expressed political intervention in science, urging Congress and the president to restore the integrity, autonomy of this branch of knowledge, since it is its independence that serves as its independence.

Since the principles defining politics depend on impartial studies that allow us to make reasonable decisions, the “Union of Concerned Scientists” called on scientists and citizens to insist on reforms that would allow leaders to protect the environment, maintain the health of the nation, and ensure its safety.

Among the examples of interference in science, the “Union of Concerned Scientists”, among others, was given, and the fact: since the Governor in Texas, George Bush did not hide that the sexual education of the younger generation should not be based on the formation of skills, how and by what modern means to effectively protect against sexually transmitted diseases, to protect against unwanted pregnancy, and on vaccination Ethics of abstinence. In general, as they say, the best remedy for AIDS - the back is alone. However, despite the allocation of more than 10 million dollars from the budget for the program “ sexual education as abstinence ” (“abstinence-only education”), and in the staff of the state alone, these efforts did not lead to positive results, and somewhere even vice versa, to their deterioration. Another case from the list of “Union of Concerned Scientists” illustrated the practice of political pressure on science in a different form, namely: in February 2004, Elizabeth BlackBurn ), leading a scientist in cell biology, as well as William May ), authority on medical ethics, were derived from the composition. Presidential Council on Bioetics. Both Blackborne and many of her colleagues were absolutely sure that the removal followed solely because of their disagreement with the position of the Bush administration regarding studies of stem cells. At the same time, after the dismissal of obstinate experts, the appointment of new, only loyal ones followed, which, as the Union of Concerned Scientists noted, violates not only the spirit, but also the letter of the law (Federal Advisory Committe Act of 1972), which prescribes the balance of various views.

In general, an example with Bush showed the Americans that the religiosity of politics and his commitment to a healthy lifestyle have not yet made an ally of science from him. Well, in other cases, this can simply lead to obscurantism, when religious imperatives, confessional solidarity, coupled with political and financial force, begin to regulate the activities of the scientific community. However, this is a lesson for us, for the future.

Warrior of Science

So, Bush showed himself a dubious ally of science and somewhere even an ill-wisher. But Obama positioned himself with her consistent defender, moreover, the best friend. And, judging by the warm technique arranged by him at the 146th annual assembly of the National Academy of Sciences, which took place at the end of April 2009 in Washington, this is perceived by many as a life principle, and not just the position of a politician. During the performance of the owner of the White House, more than 600 members of the Academy were present in the hall, who first did not allow a high guest to begin their performance, and then repeatedly interrupted it with no less violent ovations.

Throughout the history of the United States, Obama turned out to be the fourth current president who turned to such a representative community of scientists. Before him, Presidents John Kennedy (1961), Jimmy Carter (1979) and George Bush Senior (1990) did it.

Obama announced to the scientific community not only of large investment in research and education (3% gross domestic product), but also about gaining science of his place, figuratively summing up what was said: “ The days when science was in the margins of ideology,” passed . ” Using the case, Obama presented the audience of his science adviser (as well as a member of the National Academy of Sciences) John Holdren . American intellectuals expected from Obama that his adviser in science would be an authoritative representative of science, not a functionary. And just such a person was appointed to this post. J. Holdren, in turn, assured his colleagues that the 44th president wants to help science to find the situation, thanks to which she can have a positive impact on how the government thinks, what he says, as she does. Obama also presented his Academics Committee of Science Advisers and Technologies, consisting of leading scientists and technical specialists who will help his administration in the formation of a line of behavior.

The gathered also learned about the doubling of the budget of three key scientific agencies: the National Scientific Fund, the Department of Energy and the National Institute of Standards and Technologies, as well as the increase of three times the research scholarships for the National Scientific Fund. Obama urged members of the Academy to use all his passion and love of knowledge for the inspiration of young Americans to the career of scientists and engineers, motivating everyone with the new national initiative “Race to the top”. The latter is aimed at improving achievements in mathematics and science, which will allow American students to settle in international ratings at the very top.

So, the increased budget, new research grants will create additional jobs at universities, provide the opportunity to purchase the most modern equipment, organize new expeditions deep into oceans and into space. All this could not but affect the improvement of the mood of the scientific community. But with no less enthusiasm, they were also accepted by them and the course proclaimed by the White House to depolitize science, delighting not only members of the Union of Concerned Scientists.

Barack Obama expressed many innovations in the field of science in his memorandum of March 9, 2009 “ in the direction of“ scientific integrity ” (Scientific Integrity) the following tasks were stated here. Science and scientific process should form and manage the decisions of the administration on a wide range of problems, including improving public health, environmental protection, increasing the efficiency of energy and other resources, reducing the danger from climate change, and protecting national security. The American public should trust science, and officials cannot put pressure on it, change scientific or technological solutions and conclusions for the sake of momentary conjuncture. If scientific and technological information is developed and used by the federal government, it should also be available to the public. To the extent that it is allowed by law, it is necessary to achieve transparency in the preparation, identification and use of scientific and technological information in the development of a political course. The selection of scientists and technical specialists for positions in the executive authorities should be based only on their scientific and technological knowledge, experience, powers and conscientiousness.

As part of the Open Government project, the Science Integrity Blog Web-resource was introduced, supervised by the Office for Scientific and Technical Policy, and intended to encourage the exchange of views on the depolitization of science and gaining integrity it. Among the first actions of Obama on the path of “liberation of science from the captivity of politics” was the abolition of financing from the federal budget for stem cell research , with repeated statements that he “ energetically supports ” work in this direction. From one part of society, this initiative caused predictable discontent, and on the other, joy, and even what! So, for example, “The Vancouver Sun” quoted the words of one of the participants in the conference on stem cells, that he literally traced, learned about Obama’s victory in the elections, and that observing the outcome of the voting on the last night was an equally unique event for him as the fall of the Berlin Wall! Such an intensity of passions arose about these subtle substances. Although researchers have long stated the upcoming and inevitable breakthroughs in the field of medicine, if they can continue developments in stem cells, and religious organizations in the United States actively opposed. The National Committee “ Right to Life ” saw in this “slippery slope” for humanity, but the Vatican (and all American Catholics) saw a direct path to the underworld.

However, Obama, having canceled the ban on Bush, nevertheless urged the scientific community to observe caution in this matter, and assured ordinary citizens that " the government would never open the doors before using cloning for human reproduction ." But since “ scientists believe that these cells will help us in understanding diseases and getting rid of them ,” Obama decided to remove obstacles that arose in their way, erected by Bush and his supporters. The NASA breathed out with relief, having received the approval of the plan to return the person (read, Americans) to the moon and the active development of space space. All those who are looking for ways to reduce harmful emissions into the atmosphere will not be left without powerful financing, develop alternative energy sources (sun, wind, biofueling) ... In general, everyone who is on the protection of the environment, having fundamental scientific training.

Science, as Obama stated in one of its appeals to the nation, not only gives the key to disclosing the ways of surviving humanity, but also helps the prosperity and safety of the entire American people. One of the consequences of Obama’s initiative on the reform of science is to reduce the political component and a greater emphasis on integrity, the integration of science into the executive system, for use in preparation and decision -making, as well as for the subsequent implementation of national projects.

Обозрев инициативы демократов, Шарон Бегли из Newsweek увидела конец бушевской политики «токсикации науки» (где «яд» — политика), а Крис Муни (Chris Mooney), автор нашумевшей книги « Республиканская война с наукой » («The Republican War on Science», 2005) заявил, что теперь эта война окончена, и победила наука… Что же мы можем сказать, наблюдая за всем происходящим со стороны? «Война с наукой» закончена. Отныне война — вместе с наукой — с «проблемами». Окажутся ли в кругу последних и касающиеся международной политики, покажет ближайшее будущее. В любом случае, наука рассматривается американцами, при всей ее деполитизации на внутреннем рынке, как безукоризненный инструмент в международной политике. Отсюда и внимание новой Администрации к таким направлениям исследований, которые в разных аспектах связаны с глобальным потеплением, загрязнением окружающей среды.

А это может означать, что в следующий раз для «экспорта демократии» в тот или иной регион достаточно будет, к примеру, уже не наличия там оружия массового поражения, которое в силу объективных причин может просто отсутствовать, а причинение, причем доказанного ученым, «вреда окружающей среде». А кто не поддержит мер, которые принимаются во имя всего человечества, ради поддержания жизни на планете, чистоты воздуха и воды? Так что в будущей геополитике не последнюю роль станут играть и экологи новой формации. Не останутся без работы и гуманитарии, особенно те из них, кто станет руководствоваться принципом, что высшей и конечной целью ноосферного процесса является демократия планетарного масштаба.

В общем, реформы в сфере науки, проводимые вроде бы локально, в США, приведут к тому, что работы у многих в мире только прибавится, да не всем дано будет извлечь из этого собственную выгоду. Для того и затеваются в Белом доме любые реформы, чтобы сохранить и упрочить мировое лидерство. Подход сугубо политический, но и наука сыграет здесь не последнюю роль. Ее лишь освобождают от неуместного вмешательства политиков, но ее достижения могут быть прекрасно использованы государством.