a free man

I’m running out of energy for political posts this election cycle and am on the verge of putting a moratorium on politics on A Free Man. But, I’ve had this one in the queue for some time and wanted to throw it out there before the ban. Today, I want to talk about science and politics. That’s right, boys and girls, a two-fer. Chris from Formerly Fun* sent me a link to the Scientists and Engineers for America’s comparison of the two major presidential candidates statements on issues of science, health care and technology. Inspired, I went through a number of interviews focusing on science and engineering that have been published with both candidates and picked out a few issues on which the candidates differ.

One of the things I found most remarkable was the similarities in the two candidates’ platforms when it comes to science and engineering. When it comes to important issues like embryonic stem cell research, climate change, scientific integrity and even alternative energy, there are little or no differences between the two candidates’ statements. There are little differences in numbers and approaches on things like offshore drilling, reduction of emissions and nuclear power, but these have been well covered by the media.

It’s important to keep in mind that what follows is what the candidates say in interviews to science publications. Now, it should be noted for those of you who were born yesterday that what a politician says and what a politician does are often entirely different things. It’s worth looking back in the past to see how each candidate has actually voted.

But let’s look at a few important differences on issues that aren’t being covered by the media. I’ve found three major science issues in which McCain and Obama have expressed notable disagreements. I’ve tried to be objective, but in the interest of full disclosure,  I am an Obama supporter.

Basic Research

This is the type of science that often gets picked up on by politicians as wasteful of the government’s money. You’ve seen the headlines, millions of dollars spent to study grizzly bear DNA in Montana. The thing is, basic research drives most innovation in science and engineering. In general, drug companies don’t come up with the major breakthroughs in drug discovery, researchers in universities and publically funded institutes looking at things that seem trivial to the public at large make these discoveries. Drug companies fine tune them. The scientists that you’ve heard of – Einstein, Darwin, Mendel, Pasteur, Curie, Watson, and so on – we’re doing research that would have seemed as laughable to the layperson as studying the reproductive habits of blue crabs . Take home message, basic research is absolutely essential to scientific progress.

Obama has stated that federally funded basic research is one of his highest priorities in the science and engineering arena. He has pledged to double the basic research budget for engineering, mathematics and physical and life sciences over the next 10 years. McCain also has promised to fight for increases in funding for some scientific agencies. Crucially, however, he has promised a freeze in discretionary spending (which includes federal money for research) for one year.

Sex Education

OK, it’s becoming clear as I write this that I will not be able to be completely objective. For the last eight years, the Bush Administration has funded only abstinence-only sex education in the public schools. This has not worked. In 2006, the teenage pregnancy rate in the USA (already the highest in the industrialized world) rose for the first time in 14 years. Rates of syphilis and gonorrhea have risen steadily since 2000. McCain supports continuing this failed policy. Obama supports comprehensive sex education. This would include abstinence programs, but also would ensure that all taxpayer-funded federal programs are medically accurate and include information about contraception.

Evolution vs Creationism

Now, this is one of my biggest science and education issues. Both candidates are committed Christians and both candidates believe firmly in evolution. When asked if intelligent design (creationism) should be taught in the schools, McCain said in an interview with the Arizona Star that “all points of view” should be presented and “to say that we can only choose one line of thinking or one belief on how people and the world was created…there is nothing wrong with teaching different schools of thought.” Obama said in an interview with Nature, “I do not believe that it is helpful to our students to cloud discussions of science with non-scientific theories like intelligent design that are not subject to experimental scrutiny.” Read between the lines and I think you’ll discover the differences between the two candidates.  McCain is OK with teaching creationism, Obama is not.

There are also some differences of opinion on things like NASA (Obama may cut funding), net neutrality (McCain proposes letting the market handle it, we know how well that works) and nuclear energy and offshore drilling. I’m trying to keep this post short and to the point. I report, you decide.**

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Ryan Adams’ wonderful “Love Is Hell” is available from .

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Image Credits:

Parties in a flask

Robot wars

A reassuring lie

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* If you aren’t reading Chris’ blog then stop what you’re doing right now and go and read it. Ignore the scary pink theme and see what she’s got to say. Simply one of the best around, particularly when she writes about politics and society. And I’m not just saying that because we’ve arranged a marriage between her daughter and my son.

** Please don’t sue me Rupert.

 

 Ryan Adams - "Political Scientist": Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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