ASM Sends Letter to Congress

[Guest guest]

May 17, 2006 –

ASM Sends Letter to Congress on Amendment to the American Innovation

and Competitiveness Act of 2006

http://www.asm.org/Policy/index.asp?bid=43107

The Honorable Lautenberg

United States Senate

324 Hart Senate Office Building

Washington, DC 20510-3002

Dear Senator Lautenberg:

The American Society for Microbiology (ASM), the largest single life

science organization with more than 42,000 members, is concerned

about the amendment sponsored by Senator Hutchison to Section 307 of

S. 2802, the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act of 2006.

The amendment omits life sciences research in the biological,

behavioral and social sciences and will jeopardize the commitment of

the National Science Foundation to life sciences research. The NSF

plays a key role in strengthening our knowledge of biological,

behavioral and social phenomena. NSF support for the life sciences

has made possible substantial scientific progress in the areas of

plant sciences, ecology, genetics, microbiology and molecular

biology, both with respect to advances in fundamental knowledge and

in valuable applications in biotechnology, which is essential to US

competitiveness. In the life sciences, innovation is a direct

consequence of multidisciplinary communication and collaboration.

One of the primary strengths of the NSF is its ability to catalyze

important interactions among research disciplines in the physical

and life sciences. It is essential that NSF continue to have the

ability to ensure that the promise of research in the life sciences

for public well being is fulfilled.

Thank you for your support of scientific research.

Sincerely,

M. King, Ph.D., Chair, Committee on Environmental Microbiology

Ruth L. Berkelman, M.D., Chair, Public and Scientific Affairs Board

Stanley Maloy, Ph.D., President, American Society for Microbiology