When we do so, we are shortchanging both science and our nation. To date, science has never really looked like America. It has always been carried out OCR for page 4 predominantly by white males. But included are immigrants from all over the world participating in science. Therefore, no matter where talent arises, our enterprise recognizes it without regard to the culture or the country of origin of the individual.
Science is a merit-based enterprise.
It is very important that we do so for many reasons. One often talks about the unfairness of not giving everybody a chance to contribute. But an even bigger issue in this country, as it becomes more and more diverse, is that a science establishment run primarily by white males runs the danger of alienating our nation and our people from science. For at least 10 years now, over half of these graduate students have been women. In biology, women are doing very well as undergraduates and in graduate school.