Government-Funded Health and Biomedical Research Is Irreplaceable

For eight decades, the federal government has invested in biomedical and clinical research that has transformed public health, fueled economic growth, undergirded national security, and estab lished the United States as a global leader in science and innovation.Government support has been unique in its emphasis on basic knowledge discovery, its support of investigations that lack immediate promise of profitable product develop ment, its underwriting of large-scale, long-term research endeavors, and its dedication to training future researchers.This public investment has pro duced a continuously evolving knowledge base and foundational breakthroughs that industry exploits to develop novel diagnostics and treatments.Moreover, transformative technologies emergent from biomedical research are addressing a wide range of societal challenges beyond health while contributing trillions to the US economy and boosting the national competitive advantage.Concerningly, however, recent policy changes, pro posed agency reorganizations, and steep funding cuts threaten to derail this remarkable program of government support.A coherent strategy is urgently needed to sustain and coordinate the unrivaled strengths of government-funded research and ensure that its benefits reach all Americans.