Thread: Obama bans federal funding for embryonic stem cell research

Originally Posted by Syme

2% of the entire federal budget is not "such a tiny fraction". It's smaller than many other items if you define "items" broadly (e.g., treat "defense" as a single item, etc.), but I'd still consider it a significant chunk. That said, I agree with what you posted above. Of all the stuff that the federal government flings it's yearly trillions at, funding for scientific research is near the top of the list in terms of meritoriousness.

Well, let me put it this way: 2% is extremely small considering how much science funding gets attacked and is the focus of cuts. It is also extremely small considering how beneficial it is.

And if we just consider money that goes to the DoD as "defense spending," then it's something more like 21 to 23% of the budget.

Originally Posted by sycld

Well, let me put it this way: 2% is extremely small considering how much science funding gets attacked and is the focus of cuts. It is also extremely small considering how beneficial it is.

And if we just consider money that goes to the DoD as "defense spending," then it's something more like 21 to 23% of the budget.

Yeah, I'd agree that science funding is subject to criticism disproportionate to it's share of the federal budget, although I think that this partially due to the fact that it's not perceived as the direct provision of a social service to the public (despite it's huge indirect benefits). So that's why it gets attacked in hard times: It's benefits aren't perceived as immediate or direct, and thus it's easier for people to see no problem in going without them.