Governing science

Abstract

Many scientists see US President George W Bush as being bad for science, as has been made clear in numerous books, editorials and Congressional testimony. Although these scientists say that federal funding for science is at a reasonable level, they claim that his administration has rejected the advice of its own scientists, suppressed unfavourable reports, allowed ideologies to damage the infrastructure, and used celebrities as consultants. Apart from three of the 10 Republican presidential candidates – Sam Brownback, Mike Huckabee and Tom Tancredo – who do not believe in evolution, any replacement might seem preferable.