President Barack Obama emphasized the importance of a strong government commitment to scientific research in response to the flu virus outbreak that has resulted in a US public health emergency. He stated the need to allocate 3 percent of gross domestic product to scientific research during a speech to the National Academy of Sciences, highlighting the crucial role of the scientific and medical community in addressing public health challenges.Obama stressed the significance of not allowing the nation to fall behind in scientific advancements. Obama reassured the public that US cases of swine flu were not a reason to panic, but his administration was closely monitoring the situation. The declaration of a public health emergency was a precautionary measure, as the flu had already claimed 149 lives in Mexico and had spread to North America and Europe. While no deaths had occurred outside of Mexico, concerns about a potential pandemic were rising. Obama referenced the space race between the US and the Soviet Union in the 1950s and 1960s to emphasize the importance of investing in research, noting that science spending as a percentage of GDP had decreased since then. Obama stated that by aiming to spend more than 3 percent of GDP on science, the United States will surpass the level reached during the space race. This goal encompasses both public and private expenditures. Currently, the US spends 2.66 percent of GDP on research and development. Some of the additional funding is part of the economic stimulus package signed by Obama in February. In his proposed fiscal 2010 budget, Obama advocated for permanent tax credits to encourage business investment in research and development. The White House is emphasizing Obama's achievements as he nears the 100-day mark of his presidency. He highlighted his efforts to address global climate change, calling it a crucial challenge for this generation to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. A two-day meeting of major world economies on climate change was also initiated by the administration on Monday. Obama aims to decrease US emissions by around 15% by 2020, primarily through a cap-and-trade system that regulates greenhouse gas emissions from large factories. This proposal is the focal point of a bill currently being reviewed in Congress. Republicans have been critical of the cap-and-trade system, referring to it as an indirect energy tax. Additionally, some moderate Democrats are concerned about the plan's potential impact on jobs and the economy.