Science: 1, Republicans: 0

[Element 117]

Ok, so you are asking how many laws govern public funding.

go bigger picture. in the OP for contextual frame.

 

[tegid]

I do not agree with government funding for science in general, it creates lazy 'pie in the sky' government labs that aren't results driven. I've worked with too many of those and they are a waste of funds.

There are 2 exceptions though:

1) Medical Research. This stuff is way too high risk for most companies to do any significant research in them, government subsidies and research grants are an absolute necessity

2) Military Research. Duh. We need to be stronger than everyone else. Forever. (Civ games really do show you how to rule the world.) Good news for all you pro government research hippies out there though, because military research can cover pretty much anything.

Do you really think medical research is the only high risk field? There are many fields or, rather, sub-fields that are high risk or just without mid-term profits so companies will never invest in them much.

Also, your argument against government funded research is equally valid for med research...

 

[Necronic]

I think that med research is one of the most high risk fields that has seen very little progress on its own and will not be able to actualize it's potential without government funding. I'm curious what other fields you are talking about.

 

[tegid]

Certain parts of physics and biology.