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Science journal challenges Canadian PM to defend research cuts
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/technology/Science+journal+challenges+Harper+defend+research+cuts/6959722/story.htmlOTTAWA — A prestigious scientific journal has challenged the Harper government to explain millions of dollars worth of cuts to environmental research programs and funding.
In a new editorial, the journal Nature recognized the federal government has increased spending on science and technology in recent years, but warned that cuts to specific programs were undermining "vital sectors of Canadian science" without explanation.
"Governments come and go, but scientific expertise and experience cannot be chopped and changed as the mood suits and still be expected to function," said the editorial. "Nor can applied research thrive when basic research is struggling."
The editorial comes a week after scientists staged a mock funeral outside of Parliament to denounce what they called the "death of evidence" following government decisions to cut millions of dollars in funding for federal research and monitoring programs such as the Experimental Lakes Area, a natural laboratory used to study water pollution. The government also denied new funding to preserve the Polar Environment Arctic Research Lab in the North.
In a new editorial, the journal Nature recognized the federal government has increased spending on science and technology in recent years, but warned that cuts to specific programs were undermining "vital sectors of Canadian science" without explanation.
"Governments come and go, but scientific expertise and experience cannot be chopped and changed as the mood suits and still be expected to function," said the editorial. "Nor can applied research thrive when basic research is struggling."
The editorial comes a week after scientists staged a mock funeral outside of Parliament to denounce what they called the "death of evidence" following government decisions to cut millions of dollars in funding for federal research and monitoring programs such as the Experimental Lakes Area, a natural laboratory used to study water pollution. The government also denied new funding to preserve the Polar Environment Arctic Research Lab in the North.
Canada's Conservative government is moving to have their ideologies direct scientific research instead of having the results of scientific research dictate their policies. The facts have a well-known liberal bias, after all.
