Nobel laureate Carol Greider says budget cuts mean the U.S. risks surrendering its leading edge

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According to the NIH's Office of Extramural Research, the agency funded just 17.4 percent of research grant applications in the last fiscal year, a historic low. If we continue on this path, young investigators may well take their brain power

to other countries where research and development is now a growing, not

shrinking, share of the gross domestic product. This should raise concerns here at home — and indeed, a recent Research!America poll shows

approximately 80 percent of Americans believe the U.S. is losing its global competitive edge in science, technology and innovation. Given public concern about stalled economic growth, and the slowdown in innovation and its resultant benefits, why haven't our elected leaders stepped up?http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2011-12-22/news/bs-ed-scientists-20111222_1_young-scientists-medical-research-funds-research