Science and the Nixon Administration

President Nixon made a mistake in abolishing the Office of Science and Technology. When he did so, he commented that research should concern itself with short-term goals, and ordered a drastic reduction of funds for basic research. The cutbacks come at a time when science has amply demonstrated that it is the human endeavor which can bring reason and understanding to the mysteries of nature and that technology can be used to improve the quality of life. At the same time the early achievements of science have generated a whole constellation of modern-day problems that can only be solved by science. Scientific discoveries, for example, are responsible for the increase in life expectancy. Now, science must work on the multitude of medical problems resulting from old age.

The Administration’s neglect of science started early. After getting off to a brilliant start with the appointment of Lee Dubridge as Science Adviser, it soon became clear that the inner circle surrounding the President did not understand the ways of science. When Dubridge chose a director for the National Science Foundation, Nixon vetoed his choice because the man’s politics weren’t like his own. Dubridge resigned after struggling unsuccessfully for two years to keep science honest. Nixon’s promise to the public, and to Dubridge, fully to support science and to expand research never materialized and the downward trend is becoming more apparent all the time.

MG

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Michael Gazzaniga

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President Nixon made a mistake in abolishing the Office of Science and Technology. When he did so, he commented that research should concern itself with short-term goals, and ordered a drastic reduction of funds for basic research. The cutbacks come at a time when science has amply demonstrated that it is the human endeavor which can bring reason and understanding to the mysteries of nature and that technology can be used to improve the quality of life. At the same time the early achievements of science have generated a whole constellation of modern-day problems that can only be solved by science. Scientific discoveries, for example, are responsible for the increase in life expectancy. Now, science must work on the multitude of medical problems resulting from old age.

The Administration’s neglect of science started early. After getting off to a brilliant start with the appointment of Lee Dubridge as Science Adviser, it soon became clear that the inner circle surrounding the President did not understand the ways of science. When Dubridge chose a director for the National Science Foundation, Nixon vetoed his choice because the man’s politics weren’t like his own. Dubridge resigned after struggling unsuccessfully for two years to keep science honest. Nixon’s promise to the public, and to Dubridge, fully to support science and to expand research never materialized and the downward trend is becoming more apparent all the time.