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The private sector is averse to such high-risk basic research where the outcome is uncertain and the applications are unknown, Tsien explained. Historically, such research has fallen to the federal government—to taxpayers.
“Basic research is the foundation, and we never know when it’s going to come to fruition,” said Chalfie. “So it’s a long-term investment. It’s not a short-term investment. If we curtail funding for the development of the next generation of scientists... if the research stops, it has a negative ripple effect of preventing the breakthroughs in the future.”
The Golden Goose Award was originally Representative Cooper’s idea, and was created and jointly launched by a coalition of organizations which believe that federally funded basic scientific research is the cornerstone of American innovation and essential to our economic growth, health, global competitiveness, and national security. The award recipients were selected by a panel of respected scientists and university research leaders.
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