The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), of which the Society of Toxicology (SOT) is a member, drafted a letter urging Congress to “swiftly complete the FY 2017 appropriations process with robust investments in scientific research.” This effort is one of many underway at AAAS under its Be A Force for Science. As the letter notes, “representatives from business, science and engineering, medical and health, and higher education in the United States” urged Congress to “protect and renew the nation’s long-standing commitment to strong investments in cutting-edge scientific research."
SOT interacts with a wide variety of organizations and agencies in order to have greater success in fulfilling its mission of “creating a safer and healthier world by advancing the science and increasing the impact of toxicology.” AAAS is the world’s largest multidisciplinary scientific society with individual members in more than 91 countries around the globe who share the “belief that science, technology, engineering, and mathematics can help solve many of the challenges the world faces today.”
This letter also emphasizes the shared vision of the diverse signatories in the importance of science to the economic future of the US: “Our nation’s research enterprise is among the most powerful engines for American prosperity. One of the consistent areas of bipartisan agreement over the past 70 years has been the importance of the federal government’s role in supporting research and innovation.”
Moreover, this letter underscores that the future of science relies on protecting the US research and innovation infrastructure through efforts that “…support and prepare the world’s finest future scientists through quality STEM education from K-12 through graduate school; and communicate a clear, hopeful path for today’s emerging, diverse young scientists and engineers who will realize tomorrow’s breakthroughs and applications.” This statement is consistent with SOT’s Strategic Priority to “develop and support toxicologists to capitalize on future opportunities.”
Furthermore, this multisociety effort highlights how investing significantly in science and research strengthens our competitive leadership in the global economy:
- America’s research and development (R&D) enterprise has made our nation the world’s preeminent, most effective, and sought-after partner for innovation.
- US investments in science and R&D have created millions of jobs in public and private sectors, enhanced state economies, and generated commercial growth.
- Decreased investment would have significant impacts on our country’s long-term competitiveness and lead to an American innovation deficit.
To read the full letter, please visit the AAAS website.