Funds for Basic Science Research Should Be Doubled

President Bush on Saturday in his weekly radio address urged the Senate to increase funding for basic scientific research as part of his proposal to "boost U.S. competitiveness in the global marketplace through innovation," the AP/Houston Chronicle reports. According to the AP/Chronicle, the House has approved full funding of the initiative's research component, doubling federal spending on basic research in the physical sciences. Bush urged the Senate to do the same.

Bush said the initiative, which also would train new teachers and extend tax credits for research and development, is important for the U.S. to "remain an innovative nation that competes with confidence" (AP/Houston Chronicle, 7/9).

In related news, former President George H.W. Bush and former first lady Barbara Bush, co-chairs of cancer advocacy group C-Change, on Saturday discussed the need to continue advancements in cancer research.

Speaking at an international cancer conference in Washington, D.C., former President Bush said, "We simply can't expect to hold back the growing worldwide epidemic of cancer on less than a shoestring budget." He added, "Maybe one of the reasons I am so devoted to the cancer cause is that because I know this is one fight we can win and will win."

Former first lady Bush said the cure rate for leukemia in the U.S. could soon reach 90%. However, she added, "The not so good news is that this rosy picture is not the case in the developing countries, where the vast majority of children with cancer are still dying" (Heilprin, AP/Washington Post, 7/8).