Escolar Documentos
Profissional Documentos
Cultura Documentos
April 7, 2008
Mrs. Gruendler
Sciences
For as long as they have been relevant, the various issues that frame
scientific research and development funding have been met with both ardent
support and critical skepticism. Particularly within the last few decades—
popularity—federal support of the sciences has not only become an issue for
research corporation lobbyists but also for the ordinary citizen. Furthermore,
development of the latter. Together, these two fields of study exert both
budding scientific fields, such as stem cell research, have been openly
seven months into President Bush’s first term, he framed the issue of stem
Americans… I also believe human life is a sacred gift from our Creator. I
worry about a culture that devalues life... And while we're all hopeful about
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Scott Ruzal
April 7, 2008
Mrs. Gruendler
the potential of this research, no one can be certain that the science will live
up to the hope it has generated. This year, your government will spend $250
statement, public debate of this issue has been increasingly emphatic with
President Bush vetoed a bill to amend the Public Health Service Act, labeled
annual federal spending on stem cell research dropped from the initial $250
million to a mere $40 million (Sardi, What Scientists Aren’t Telling You About
very often relies upon the use of human embryos, the stage of human
development in which genetic material in the egg and sperm have merged to
form the basis of the living organism, many believe that by tampering with
(Abernethy, Religious Views on Stem Cell Research). This perspective may also be
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April 7, 2008
Mrs. Gruendler
life processes.
those who are in dire need of such surgery is one significant benefit. Similarly,
popular science fiction; such as that of literary geniuses, Isaac Asimov and
Arthur C. Clarke.
various medical and material life enhancing purposes. Currently, the Bush
Initiative). This figure has been met with considerable abhorrence from those
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April 7, 2008
Mrs. Gruendler
accidental creation of “grey goo”, free range self replicators with the potential
Nanotechnology).
effects our way of life has had on the environment is becoming quite popular
amongst those who fear global warming. Julia A. Seymour and Amy Menefee
of the Business and Media Institute claim that, “If the media had their way,
the United States would give in and join programs that are proven failures –
Global Warming).
government (The Pew Research Center). However, according to the same Pew
climatologists, most strongly disagreed with the notion that global warming is
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April 7, 2008
Mrs. Gruendler
warming are in fact futile, where then should the government be utilizing its
resources? Many argue that the most significant, if not most essential, use of
curiosity. Not to be confused with little green men, this money largely ends up
greatest hope for the future of humanities continued existence outside the
this issue, space truly is the final frontier. Subsequently, NASA has fared well
sciences such as the International Space Station, the Hubble Space Telescope,
the Mars Rover expedition, and the Bush administration’s approval of a future
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Scott Ruzal
April 7, 2008
Mrs. Gruendler
perhaps derives itself from the efforts of conspiracy theorists and select
accomplishments, such as the 1969 moon landing, have been faked. The well-
the Moon?, is the most well-known of these media portrayals which, with
mission was a hoax. Despite NASA’s repeated public attempts to quash these
leading to closer scrutiny of NASA’s use of federal spending and its major
failures, such as the 1986 Challenger launch and 2003 Columbia reentry.
the program’s functions has peaked, and the federal appropriations given to
affects the lives of everyone dealing with the direct and indirect repercussions
taxpayer money, all citizens have some level of personal investment in how
the federal budget is divvied and what it pays for. This is the primary
motivation for voters to elect officials that represent their individual interests.
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Scott Ruzal
April 7, 2008
Mrs. Gruendler
Currently, the federal budget totals $2.65 trillion dollars, of which 54% is
spent towards military endeavors and the remaining 46% is distributed with
attribute their scientific research and development between both military and
non-military projects.
sciences. Upsetting as it may be, there are very few present day equivalents
their command of the sciences must usually limit themselves to the private
funding and grants provided by various intellectual firms, creating the great
budget reform, such as the prominent War Resisters League and the AAAS,
are also fervent antagonists of war and military spending. Likewise, those
these two parties are essential to the understanding of how the federal
not these groups can ever see eye to eye is secondary to the urgency of now
in their efforts to keep federal spending in their favor. This is how the system
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April 7, 2008
Mrs. Gruendler
works, and sadly, it does not always work in assuring the continued wellbeing
and prosperity of ordinary citizens like you and I. In light of such matters, it
nevertheless goes without saying that the greatest assurance one can hope
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Scott Ruzal
April 7, 2008
Mrs. Gruendler
Works Cited
1. "President Discusses Stem Cell Research." Office of the Press Secretary 09 AUG
<http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/08/20010809-2.html>. (Office of
2. "S. 471--109th Congress (2005): Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005."
<http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s109-471>. (GovTrack.us).
3. Sardi, Bill. "What Scientists Aren’t Telling You About Stem Cell Technology." Lew
4. Abernethey, Bob. "Religious Views on Stem Cell Research." Newsweekly: Religion &
<http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/week448/perspectives.html>.
Initiative).
6. "No Simple Solutions." Center for Responsible Nanotechnology 2002 11 APR 2008
Responsible Nanotechnology).
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April 7, 2008
Mrs. Gruendler
7. Revkin, Andrew. "Budgets Falling in Race to Fight Global Warming " New York Times
<http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/30/business/worldbusiness/30energy.html?_r=1
8. "Little Consensus on Global Warming ." The Pew Research Center 12 JUL 2006 11
Research Center).
10. "The Federal Pie Chart." War Resisters League 2007 11 APR 2008
11. "The National Aeronautics and Space Administration's FY 2008 Budget." AAAS
(AAAS Report).
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