Comment from Anonymous
Anonymous AnonymousOpposeAcademic
Summary: A research technician at Duke University opposes the proposed regulation, arguing that it will disrupt merit-based scientific processes and hinder international collaboration. The commenter expresses concern that these changes will cause the U.S. to lose talent and innovation in the research field.
I am a research technician at Duke University conducting research on brain development. I spent my undergraduate career at Duke investigating cellular mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental disorders that impact millions. I plan to pursue a PhD in neurobiology and dedicate my career to the basic science that informs the medical advances the US has led for decades. This proposal will greatly disrupt the merit-based scientific process that has allowed this country to be a global leader in research. In particular, maintaining peer review for grant decisions, interactions with international researchers, and the use of grant funding to attend scientific meetings and pay for manuscripts is critical for sustaining America’s research impact. Scientists must share their ideas with each other; international connections, meetings, and publications are essential for this. Peer review should always be about merit; the most innovative proposals must be prioritized. If these changes take effect, young and bright researchers like me will build our careers outside the U.S. Losing talent, innovation, and process is something the U.S. cannot afford.