Increasing both the public health potential of basic research and the scientist satisfaction. An international survey of bio-scientists

Abstract

Basic scientific research generates knowledge that has intrinsic value which is independent of future applications. Basic research may also lead to practical benefits, such as a new drug or diagnostic method. Building on our previous study of basic biomedical and biological researchers at Harvard, we present findings from a new survey of similar scientists from three countries. This survey asked about the scientists' motivations, goals and perspectives along with their attitudes concerning policies designed to increase both the practical (i.e. public health) benefits of basic research as well as their own personal satisfaction. Close to 900 basic investigators responded to the survey; results corroborate the main findings from the previous survey of Harvard scientists. In addition, we find that most bioscientists disfavor present policies that require a discussion of the public health potential of their proposals in grants but generally favor softer policies aimed at increasing the quality of work and the potential practical benefits of basic research. In particular, bioscientists are generally supportive of those policies entailing the organization of more meetings between scientists and the general public, the organization of more academic discussion about the role of scientists in the society, and the implementation of a "basic bibliography" for each new approved drug.

Time to tackle the incumbency advantage in science

“…We conducted a survey covering many different topics and sampled a large number of researchers in basic biological or biomedical research. We received responses from nearly 900 (885) scientists at different stages of their careers from four scientific hubs (two in the USA, one in UK, and one in Italy) . As part of this survey, we asked these scientists about the two policy proposals.…”