But, I also know that society cannot live by biomedical bread alone. The contributions of computer science, physics, mathematics, engineering and other fields to biomedical research illustrate the need to ensure that fundamental science remains an integral part of the federal government's overall research agenda. Unfortunately, the DoD may be falling into a classic trap that can catch the best of managers, that of focusing so hard on the short term problems that they short change the future. As the world becomes more technologically interdependent, the trend at the State Department has been to downplay science and technical expertise. It's time to reverse that trend.
Resources are absolutely central to the whole problem.
I don't know of any scientist in those laboratories who doesn't have a very high sense of patriotism and devotion to this country. That's why they are there. As I said, I believe it is irresponsible and dangerous. But we also note this may be the best we can get, and if it is the best we can get, as troubled as we are, we will take it. Not only is this cut devastating to NASA's programs, it is a knife in the heart of employee morale.