The enormous federal deficit and the intent of lawmakers to balance the budget portend that biomedical research funding will not increase in the future. It will be prudent for the scientific community to adopt a long-term, healthy approach to doing science by reevaluating how it funds research.
Scientists have a responsibility to stem an increase in research expenditures.
An unquestioned increase in research dollars in the past has made our investigations inefficient. Increasing amounts of money were allowed for both direct and indirect costs without question. Obtaining multiple grants, having a stake in a great sum of money, and acquiring a large team have become matters of pride and prestige to many scientists. Since obtaining a bigger pot of research money begets more money for indirect costs, institutions have a tendency to reward individuals who bring in the most dollars. This leads to a rat race among scientists.