Research Funding
The recent exciting news from institutions in Los Angeles related to gene therapy and pancreatic cell implantation reminds us all of the great and direct potential of biomedical research to enhance our lives (“Baby 1st to Receive Gene Treatment, May 16, and “Artificial Pancreas Is Implanted in Diabetic,” May 14). Few would deny that the relatively modest investment made by the federal government to research in our universities and research institutes has paid off, in improvement of quality of life, as well as in establishment of the biotechnology industry. Basic biomedical research saves lives and provides jobs. We take the great successes of biomedical research for granted. Yet many may not be aware of the threat posed by national policies to the health of the basic biomedical research establishment.
Much of the success of the national research establishment can be traced to the existence of the so-called “peer review” system by which stiff competition for grants results from a team of highly qualified independent scientists evaluating proposals. However, in the last four years the ability to get a new, novel idea from an independent research laboratory funded has declined precipitously. In many areas of basic research, including my own (diabetes research), barely 10% of new applications are funded by the federal government. This is due not only to overall limitations of funds, but also the re-targeting of large amounts of federal money to specific research programs, at the expense of investigator-initiated ideas. And yet it has been the independent scientist who has been the germ of the biomedical revolution over the last 25 years.
It is obvious that the present accomplishments in medical science, such as gene therapy and vaccine production, are the result of a long-term and solid investment in the development and nurturing of those who choose a scientific career. It can only be shortsighted if we do not allow young and dedicated scientists (including women and members of minority groups) who are just now entering the scientific work force to have a reasonable probability of trying out their new ideas. Biomedical research is inherently inefficient, but demonstrably of enormous benefit. It is important for our elected officials to guarantee that enough funds are targeted to independent investigator-initiated grants to raise the chance of funding such grants to a level that makes a career in biomedical research a realistic possibility.
RICHARD N. BERGMAN
Professor, and Chair
Physiology and Biophysics
USC Medical School
