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The State of the Union Address 2006: Science and Math Education, Bird Flu, HIV/AIDS, Energy and Stem Cell Research

Shadi Farhangrazi

In his State of the Union Address, President Bush announced a number of initiatives and proposals focused on science, education and technology. Here we focus on and outline some of those proposals and related facts.

President Bush emphasized the “American Competitiveness Initiative” to encourage innovation throughout the US economy with major emphasis on science and math education. Following his State of the Union Address, the President gave several talks at Nashville , Tennessee , at 3M Company in Maplewood , Minnesota , Albuquerque and Rio Rancho (Intel Plant), New Mexico , and visited a science and engineering high school in Dallas , Texas . At each stop, President Bush recapped the highlights of his speech and greatly emphasized the competitiveness initiative specifically focusing on science and math education. The American Competitiveness Initiative commits $5.9 billion in FY 2007, and more than $136 billion over 10 years, to increase investments in research and development (R&D), to strengthen education, and encourage entrepreneurship and innovation.

The initiative also includes proposals for encouraging the expansion of a favorable environment for additional private-sector investment in innovation, improving the quality of math and science education, supporting universities, providing job training for workers to improve their skills, and supporting comprehensive immigration reform.

In the budget for 2007, the President has requested $6 billion for the National Science Foundation (NSF), an increase of 7.8 percent. The NSF predominantly funds research of physical scientists, which include chemists, physicists, and engineers. However, the 2007 budget does not include an increase in the budget of the National Institute of Health (NIH), which funds biomedical research and the majority of research funding into diseases and in fact comprising most of the universities research budgets. According to the New York Times (Feb 5, 2006), the funding for National Cancer Institute will be cut by $40 million, resulting in $71 million less than it received in 2005. In addition, The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute will receive $21 million less in 2007 than it did in 2006, and $40 million less than 2005. The only increase in the NIH budget has been allocated for the threat of pandemic flu, which is now up to $7.1 billion.

It is not clear why Bush's administration is specifically emphasizing innovation and research funding for physical sciences but not biological and biomedical sciences. We applaud the new allocations of funding for physical sciences. It is extremely critical and important to increase the budget and spending on physical sciences, and math and science education. However, it seems that the major changes are coming at a price and this policy could be flawed in the long term. It is important to note that although the private sector (namely pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries), spends billions every year on research both nationally and internationally, the majority of biomedical research in the U.S. which are done at universities, are funded by NIH.

One of the major parts of the initiatives proposed for energy is focused on coal industry. The 2007 budget includes $281 million for development of clean coal technologies and $54 million for the FutureGen Initiative. The FutureGen Initiative is a partnership between government and the private sector to develop innovative technologies for an emissions-free coal plant that captures the carbon dioxide it produces and stores it in deep geologic formations. The Budget also proposes a new $148 million Solar America Initiative to accelerate the development of semiconductor materials that convert sunlight directly to electricity and $44 million for wind energy research, which will be used to improve the efficiency and lower the costs of new wind technologies for use in low-speed wind environments.

The 2007 budget also includes $150 million to help develop bio-based transportation fuels from agricultural waste products, such as wood chips, stalks, or switch grass. The budget also emphasizes the development of more efficient vehicles, such as improving hybrid vehicles. The administration proposes improvement of the "plug-in" hybrid, which can run either on electricity or gasoline and can be plugged into the wall to recharge its batteries. The budget includes $30 million to speed up the development of this battery technology and extend the range of these vehicles. Finally, the budget proposes providing $289 million to accelerate the development of hydrogen fuel cells and affordable hydrogen-powered cars.

In his State of the Union Address, President Bush emphasized his administration's long time position on stem cell research. By asking to pass legislation to prohibit human cloning in all its forms, including creating or implanting embryos for experiments, he reiterated his administrations position opposing therapeutic cloning or somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). The process of SCNT could potentially be used for generating stem cells, which could be used for therapeutic purposes.

In 2004, the US government launched the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) allocating $15 billion for financing and delivery of HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment globally. This is the reason why many HIV/AIDS activists, such as U2 lead singer Bono, have praised President Bush and the US government for their efforts in fighting HIV/AIDS.

How will the $7.1 billion funding for Avian Flu be spent?

President Bush requested $7.1 billion in emergency funding to begin immediately implementing a national strategy for pandemic influenza . The request includes: $251 million to detect and contain outbreaks before they spread around the world; $2.8 billion to accelerate development of cell-culture technology; $800 million for development of new treatments and vaccines; $1.519 billion for the Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Defense to purchase influenza vaccines; $1.029 billion to stockpile antiviral medications; and $644 million to ensure that all levels of government are prepared to respond to a pandemic outbreak. A new website (www.pandemicflu.gov) will also be launched to make sure the public are informed about the government's preparations and learn what they can do to decrease their risk.

 

Texts from the State of the Union Address:

Math and Science Education: “ And to keep America competitive, one commitment is necessary above all: We must continue to lead the world in human talent and creativity. Our greatest advantage in the world has always been our educated, hardworking, ambitious people -- and we're going to keep that edge. Tonight I announce an American Competitiveness Initiative, to encourage innovation throughout our economy, and to give our nation's children a firm grounding in math and science.”

“First, I propose to double the federal commitment to the most critical basic research programs in the physical sciences over the next 10 years. This funding will support the work of America 's most creative minds as they explore promising areas such as nanotechnology, supercomputing, and alternative energy sources.”

“Second, I propose to make permanent the research and development tax credit to encourage bolder private-sector initiatives in technology. With more research in both the public and private sectors, we will improve our quality of life -- and ensure that America will lead the world in opportunity and innovation for decades to come.”

“Third, we need to encourage children to take more math and science, and to make sure those courses are rigorous enough to compete with other nations. We've made a good start in the early grades with the No Child Left Behind Act, which is raising standards and lifting test scores across our country. Tonight I propose to train 70,000 high school teachers to lead advanced-placement courses in math and science, bring 30,000 math and science professionals to teach in classrooms, and give early help to students who struggle with math, so they have a better chance at good, high-wage jobs. If we ensure that America 's children succeed in life, they will ensure that America succeeds in the world.”

“Preparing our nation to compete in the world is a goal that all of us can share. I urge you to support the American Competitiveness Initiative, and together we will show the world what the American people can achieve.”

Energy: “ Keeping America competitive requires affordable energy. And here we have a serious problem: America is addicted to oil, which is often imported from unstable parts of the world. The best way to break this addiction is through technology. Since 2001, we have spent nearly $10 billion to develop cleaner, cheaper, and more reliable alternative energy sources -- and we are on the threshold of incredible advances.”

“So tonight, I announce the Advanced Energy Initiative -- a 22-percent increase in clean-energy research -- at the Department of Energy, to push for breakthroughs in two vital areas. To change how we power our homes and offices, we will invest more in zero-emission coal-fired plants, revolutionary solar and wind technologies, and clean, safe nuclear energy.”

“We must also change how we power our automobiles. We will increase our research in better batteries for hybrid and electric cars, and in pollution-free cars that run on hydrogen. We'll also fund additional research in cutting-edge methods of producing ethanol, not just from corn, but from wood chips and stalks, or switch grass. Our goal is to make this new kind of ethanol practical and competitive within six years.”

“Breakthroughs on this and other new technologies will help us reach another great goal: to replace more than 75 percent of our oil imports from the Middle East by 2025. By applying the talent and technology of America , this country can dramatically improve our environment, move beyond a petroleum-based economy, and make our dependence on Middle Eastern oil a thing of the past.”

Stem Cell Research: “A hopeful society has institutions of science and medicine that do not cut ethical corners and that recognize the matchless value of every life. Tonight I ask you to pass legislation to prohibit the most egregious abuses of medical research, human cloning in all its forms, creating or implanting embryos for experiments, creating human-animal hybrids, and buying, selling or patenting human embryos. Human life is a gift from our creator, and that gift should never be discarded, devalued or put up for sale.”

HIV/AIDS: “A hopeful society acts boldly to fight diseases like HIV/AIDS which can be prevented and treated and defeated. More than a million Americans live with HIV and half of all AIDS cases occur among African-Americans. I ask Congress to reform and reauthorize the Ryan White Act and provide new funding to states, so we end the waiting lists for AIDS medicine in America . We will also lead a nationwide effort, working closely with African-American churches and faith-based groups, to deliver rapid HIV tests to millions, end the stigma of AIDS and come closer to the day when there are no new infections in America .”

To read the text of the President's State of the Union Address and learn more about the proposals and initiatives and the U.S. 2007 Budget go to:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/01/20060131-10.html

 

Protecting America 's Competitive Edge (PACE) Act

The Protecting America's Competitive Edge (PACE) Act was announced on January 25 by Senators Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Pete Domenici (R-NM), Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) and Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), along with retired Lockheed Martin CEO Norm Augustine. The PACE Act implements the 20 recommendations contained in the October 2005 report by the National Academies titled “Rising Above the Gathering Storm.” In December 2005, Alexander, Domenici and Bingaman met with President Bush at the White House to discuss the findings of that report and plans for competitiveness legislation.

Protecting America's Competitive Edge (PACE) Act provisions include:

*Doubling the nation's investment in basic research over seven years
*Establishing a new research agency within the Department of Energy
*Providing 10,000 new scholarships for future math and science teachers at $20,000 per year
*Increasing to 1.5 million the number of students who take Advanced Placement courses in math and science
*Providing 25,000 new scholarships of $20,000 per year and 5,000 new fellowships for future American scientists
*Streamlining the visa process for bright foreign students so we attract the world's brightest to study alongside America's brightest
*Doubling and making permanent the research and development tax credit to encourage private, job-producing research

Protecting America 's Competitive Edge through Energy (PACE-Energy):S.2197

Date Introduced: 01/26/06

Description: To improve the global competitiveness of the United States in science and energy technology, to strengthen basic research programs at the Department of Energy, and to provide support for mathematics and science education at all levels through the resources available through the Department of Energy, including at the National Laboratories.

Protecting America 's Competitive Edge through Education and Research (PACE-Education): S.2198

Date Introduced: 01/26/06

Description: To ensure the United States successfully competes in the 21st century global economy.