The list of supporters calling for a presidential debate on health, science and the environment continues to grow, and now includes M.I.T. president Susan Hockfield, former chair of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Shirley Jackson and Bill Clinton’s former Chief of Staff John Podesta, who posted this Youtube video arguing that science and technology are integral to national security.  “Science Debate 2008,” would be held April 18 at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, four days before the Pennsylvania Primary. 

Though none of the candidates have committed to participate, representatives for both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton took part in a preview debate for journalists and scientists at an international science conference. Representatives from both John McCain’s and Mike Huckabee’s campaigns declined invitations to join the debate.  Not surprisingly, the discussion demonstrated just how much Obama and Clinton share in common:

“…they agree on pretty much every issue. Neither rep presented any issue that was very contentious or new. The take-home message from both campaigns was a generally warm fuzzy thumbs up for science. Both Hillary and Barack says that scientific research and technological innovation are necessary to bolster our economy and position the United States as a global power and, consequently, they both support more funding for scientific research.” DISCOVER Magazine

Funding for scientific research has become an issue in Illinois, where Fermilab and Argonne National Laboratory recently saw $43 million evaporate from their $850 million combined annual budget.  The cuts are expected to lead to staff reductions, but more importantly says a recent Chicago Tribune article, they will result in ”a corrosion of scientific research capability.”  More than half of all science and engineering PhD candidates in the United States are foreign born, but without world-class research facilities more of them will be returning home.

“To no surprise, talent follows the money. Asian countries outpace the U.S. in the growth of state-supported research funds. A 2006 study of 186 top companies found that 77 percent of the new research and development sites they planned for the next three years will be in China or India.”