From: webb@tsavo.hks.com (Peter Webb)
Newsgroups: sci.research
Subject: Basic Research at NSF
Date: 13 Oct 1992 09:55:46 -0400
Organization: Hibbitt, Karlsson & Sorenson, Inc.
NNTP-Posting-Host: tsavo.hks.com

Following is a letter I've written to the NSF regarding a proposed change in
their mission, shifting their focus from basic research to applied research.
This would result in many fewer dollars available for basic research.
I urge anyone else who is also concerned to contact the NSF and let them know.
Since the deadline for submitting opinions is Oct. 15, I suggest using FAXed
letters or electronic mail.  Their FAX number is (202)-357-7346 and their
email address is nsbcomm@nsf.gov.

***************************Begin enclosure**************

							175 Medway St.
							Providence, RI 02906
Special Commission on the Future of NSF
Room 546, National Science Foundation
1800 G St., N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20550

Dear Sir or Madam:

	I am writing to express my concern about a potential change in the
way the National Science Foundation treats basic scientific research.  The
Foundation's director, Walter Massey, has expressed clear intent to redirect
the NSF away from its mission in basic research toward a new mission to
"accept a major role in fostering links between research and technology" to
foster product development and assist industry.  This change is contrary to
the founding principles of the NSF.  The NSF was created with the objective
of insulating basic research from the pressures of short-term financial
crises.  If the NSF shifts its focus to applied research, it is very likely
that the funds available for basic research will diminish, since the current
economic climate makes it unlikely that the NSF's total budget will increase
to match its new responsibilities.  This worry is not without precedent. In
1985 the NSF was ordered to support fundamental engineering research, but
the budget was not increased to accomodate the expanded mission.

Basic research is critical to our world-wide technological leadership and the
health of our economy.  It provides the underpinning for all of our advanced
technology and opens up entire new industries and markets for our corporations.
The genetic engineering industry would not have developed as rapidly as it did
without previous basic research into the nature of the DNA molecule.  The very
discovery of DNA was a result of basic research.  Because this research was
freely available in scientific journals, all the fledgling genetic engineering
firms started on equal footing, promoting healthy competition.  This wide
availability is typical of basic research results.  On the other hand, results
>from industry-based applied research are often kept secret for years, since
they provide a technological competetive edge.  The NSF should not be in the
business of helping any specific corporation gain an edge over another.  Since
the NSF is funded by tax dollars, by society as a whole, the results of NSF
funded research should be available to all without licensing or trade
secret restrictions.

While industry-sponsored applied research is very important to the economic 
strength of our country, the very focus that makes it commercially successful
often makes it short-sighted or overly narrow as well.  Applied research will
never investigate problems that have no apparent commercial application, that
promise no return on investment but knowledge.  This focus is appropriate for a
competitive industry, but disasterous for science and society as a whole. We
need the freedom to explore wherever our curious minds take us.  This is the
promise of science, that with determination we can understand the mysteries
of our world.  Without funding for basic research, investigation into 
apparently unprofitable fields will cease.  History has proven, however, that
those investigations often make discoveries which create entire new and 
unforseen industries whose worth far exceeds the money spent on the 
research itself.

You must reaffirm the NSF's committment to basic research.  To do otherwise 
threatens our standing as a world leader in science and technology and 
therefore jeopardizes our standard of living. I am especially concerned that
this change in the agency's mission was conducted in the absense of public
debate.  If you permitted them to speak, I think you would find many 
scientists opposed to this new committment to applied research.  

				Sincerely,

				Peter Webb


-- 
			   Peter Webb, webb@hks.com
		  HKS Inc., 1080 Main St., Pawtucket RI 02860
		     Voice: 401-727-4200, FAX: 401-727-4208