Advantages and Disadvantages of Making Policies that Fund Scientific Research

Introduction

The federal government of the United States of America has been funding scientific research for many years such as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) since the 1970s. Despite the critics from various agencies and individuals regarding whether it is worth to fund these researches, policies have been progressively implemented to enable these financial supports. Making policies to fund scientific researches is associated with both advantages and disadvantages depending on one's point of view. Some people will support the government that it should continue supporting scientific researchers financially since they believe that these studies have national and global benefits (Goldfarb p. 46). On the other hand, a significant percentage of critics tend to oppose the enactment of such policies because they perceive that the researches are not worth the financial support from the federal government and the funds should be directed to another more critical course such as health, education or food. NASA is one of the largest independent agency in the in the country and world involved with conducting scientific researches and has been in operation for almost six decades; hence, it is ideal to represent other organizations in discussing the advantages and disadvantages of these policies in this paper.

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Since the 1970s, the US federal government has been allocating less than 1% of its national fiscal year budget to NASA despite a temporary peak in 1996 to 4.4%. The current allocation stands at 0.5% of the federal budget of which the agency is being allocated approximately $20 billion. Providing financial support to the agency is a way of enabling it to undertake its various operations including space exploration. Also, it indicates that it has to the responsibility to update the government on everything that is done and its progress since it is a shareholder. Undoubtedly, the organization through its inventions that are revealed to the government and the public has proved that it is worth the funds allocated to it. The following factors illustrate the benefits of enacting policies allowing federal funding of scientific researches.

Health Benefits

A lot of inventions associated with space exploration have significantly transformed the health sector. Scientists have invented and enhanced technology and science in the attempt to overcome different challenges at work. For instance, the exoskeleton is equipment that aids paraplegic individuals to walk effortlessly. The innovation was influenced by the robotic systems used by scientists to conduct various operations during space exploration. They realized that they could help the people with paralysis by developing a wearable machine to help them walk comfortably after learning the systems worked on robots. Thus, by funding the researches, the government significantly contributes to such innovations that are critical in the health industry. Other inventions similar to the technology exoskeleton include the implantable heart monitors and the light-based anti-cancer therapy utilized by the health practitioners to deal with health challenges such as heart diseases and cancers respectively.

Additionally, innovations by NASA have been of significant contribution to how things are done in the healthcare industry. Supporting its operations financially is one of the ways that the government participates in developing technology items that are used in ensuring the well-being of the people. Infrared ear thermometers used in hospitals were introduced after the agency started using similar types of equipment in measuring the temperature of the stars. Although they are used on different subjects, the thermometers functioning method is the same and of which they are safe when used on people since they prevent direct contact with the mucous membranes in the ears. Correspondingly, during a study in 1980 by Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), which is a federally funded research and development center, an innovation known as UV blocking sunglasses were made (Mowery). The invention was influenced by the research that involved the effects of solar radiation and artificial light by lasers and industrial welding on a human's naked eye during which a curtain to destroy ultraviolet light was developed. The study helped in solving a health problem that had been affecting the people for long. Therefore, by funding the center to undertake the research, the federal government found an ideal solution to mitigate a significant risk.

Economic Benefits

Federal funding of NASA operations and other related activities have progressively had positive implications on the US economic growth and development. The government spends less on the scientific researches while more is obtained from these operations and other activities associated with them such as the production of goods and services. In a report produced by the Space Foundation in 2005 estimated that commodities and services related to space operations contributed $180 billion to the national economy both directly and indirectly. Space commercial infrastructure and support industries benefiting from the products and services of NASA add to the economy through the purchases they make. Additionally, the agency is responsible for most space innovations that are controlled by satellites such as weather and communication of which are services that come at a price to the private companies, and a significant amount of this revenue is put in the national treasury for economic development. For example, most ATMs used in the country are regulated by the private sector and of which the immediate response gotten from these types of equipment is controlled via the satellite. Moreover, the inventions done after space exploration are transformed into products or services that can be commercialized to generate revenue (Battat). Such innovations include technological advances such as kidney dialysis machines, freeze-dried food and CAT scanners used in various industries.

Correspondingly, funding scientific researches such as the space explorations done by NASA enhance the chances of developing more types of equipment that are effective and efficient in expanding the economic sphere by incorporating the flexibility, troubleshooting, and decision-making of humans in the corporate world (Chesbrough et al. p. 36). Power film is an affordable technology that was developed in the 1960s by NASA integrated with solar panels that are widely used by the public. The affordability of these devices can enable people to produce products and services that are accessible of which is a way of expanding the economy through enhancement of individuals living standards. Moreover, by funding these operations, the federal government creates confidence and allows the private sectors to invest more in space-related activities and services, and this boosts the economic sphere in the sense that more revenues are generated and creation of job opportunities.

Disadvantages

Despite the apparent benefits of funding scientific researches such as space exploration by NASA, there are various limitations associated with some of these operations. They include the following.

Conflicts between countries

Technology advances such as satellites can be used as means of spying another nation particularly those having indifferences with the US. By doing this can lead to conflicts especially because the pieces of equipment are funded and regulated by the government; hence, this becomes a threat to the national security and economy.

Garbage is left behind while other harmful materials are exposed to humans

When conducting scientific studies such as space exploration, hazardous components such as gasses and fuels are transported. Some of these materials are left behind after the missions have ended of which they are dangerous because they can lead to atmosphere mix or even collide with other space elements leading to unexpected explosions. For instance, two satellites collided in 2009 and what were left were little pieces that are forecasted to bring harmful effects on the people in future. Moreover, critics have suggested harmful elements are brought down to earth from space, and they are dangerous to the people within the surrounding.

Cost-ineffective

Some of these federally funded researches are costly such that the government is prompted to utilize a lot of money to facilitate them. Hence, the expenses outweigh the outcomes of which it is a loss to the government being the sponsor of these operations (Nelson p. 301).

Conclusion

In conclusion, federal funding of scientific researches has a lot of advantages that should prompt the government to implement more policies to allow more financial support. Although there are disadvantages, science is the foundation for the future, and relevant resources should be utilized to boost and foster it to ensure more technology advances are made to create a better world than it is currently. Proper and appropriate measures should be put in place to regulate the apparent limitations to avoid any possible shortcomings that may affect the federal funding. Hence, despite the negative critics, the government should continue funding scientific operations including those associated with NASA.

Works Cited

Battat, Jonathan Alexander. Technology and architecture: informing investment decisions for the future of human space exploration. Diss. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2012.

Chesbrough, Henry, and Jim Spohrer. "A research manifesto for services science." Communications of the ACM 49.7 (2006): 35-40.

Goldfarb, Brent. "The effect of government contracting on academic research: Does the source of funding affect scientific output?." Research Policy 37.1 (2008): 41-58.

Mowery, David C. "Federal Funding of Research and Development in Transportation: The Case of Aviation." Papers Commissioned for a Workshop on the Federal Role in Research and Development. National Academies Press, 1985.

Nelson, Richard R. "The simple economics of basic scientific research." Journal of political economy 67.3 (1959): 297-306.