The President recently visited the NIH and let everyone in on his secret, world-class, molecular biology lab. Flow cytometer included!
H/T NIH
Posts Tagged ‘science politics’
President Obama Secretly Tinkering with Molecular Biology
:: Posted by American Biotechnologist on 12-09-2014
America will never have a scientist president
:: Posted by American Biotechnologist on 11-06-2012Several months ago, Greg Fish, chief blogger at weird things, penned a post titled “why scientists won’t be elected in the u.s..” Fish’s post was inspired by a New York Times article claiming that despite the fact that several countries employ scientists in key positions in the government, American cannot bring themselves to elect scientists since many of them dismiss scientists as “impractical and elitist.” Fish however, takes a different approach.
In his blog post, Fish proposes that “Americans just don’t understand scientists and aren’t really sure how to start understanding them.” Americans believe that scientists are spoiled academics who have been fattened by government grants and have no concept of the real world concerns and real world economics.
I’m not so sure that’s the reason. Does the public really believe that scientists have cushy jobs? That we don’t work hard for our money? I think that the reason fewer scientists hold public government posts in America is because they are more concerned with getting to the truth than spinning it! In America, politics is more about marketing and self-promotion than it is about sincerity and transparency.
As long as we (scientists) stick to our values of seeking the truth using objective reasoning and scientific methodology, American need not worry about having a scientist for President.
Wouldn’t you agree?
The smell of elections is in the air…and in our genes
:: Posted by American Biotechnologist on 08-28-2012Politics and genetics have traditionally been considered non-overlapping fields, but over the past decade it has become clear that genes can influence political behavior, according to a review published online August 27th in Trends in Genetics. This paradigm shift has led to novel insights into why people vary in their political preferences and could have important implications for public policy.
“We’re seeing an awakening in the social sciences, and the wall that divided politics and genetics is really starting to fall apart,” says review author Peter Hatemi of the University of Sydney. “This is a big advance, because the two fields could inform each other to answer some very complex questions about individual differences in political views.”
Obama and the Politics of Biotechnology
:: Posted by American Biotechnologist on 04-30-2012Princeton Professor of Molecular Biology and Public Policy Lee Silver discusses stem cell politics. Watch and share your reaction with us.
Politicians say the dumbest things!
:: Posted by American Biotechnologist on 09-11-2011I have finally found a political cause (OK…perhaps a pseudo-political cause) that I can support! Scientific American is requesting that its readers send in examples of stupid science statements made by public figures.
Many public figures feel that their public status automatically turns them into experts in any subject they are asked about. Of course this is ludicrous, but so are many “facts” that come out of famous people’s mouths. This is bound to be fun so be sure to participate!
Here’s a GREAT example from one of our all time favorite politicians-Sara Palin: