Scientists express hope for science in second Obama term

New York Times : In a brief article framed by the October news that 68 Nobel science laureates endorsed President Obama, science writer Kenneth Chang predicts that “not much may change in science policy in Mr. Obama’s second term.” He stipulates, however, that the particulars of second-term science goals are not known and that in the fiscal crisis, the National Institutes of Health, NASA, and NSF could see budget cuts of 8%, with national laboratory funds also cut sharply. Martin Chalfie, one of the 68 laureates, is reportedly “elated” over the Obama win and the emphasis on science and education in the president’s victory speech. Michael Lubell of the American Physical Society observes that the discretionary budget would have been at risk if Mitt Romney had won. Matthew Hourihan of the American Association for the Advancement of Science expects continuation of first-term priorities, including basic research, especially in energy. Lubell and Nobel laureate David Baltimore both expect to see the president engage climate change.