STANFORD – Government-funded scientific research runs the gamut from studies of basic physical and biological processes to the development of applications to meet immediate needs. Given limited resources, grant-making authorities are always tempted to channel a higher proportion of funds toward the latter.
斯坦福—政府出资的科学研究涵盖了从基本生理和生物过程研究到满足迫切需要的应用开发的全部领域。由于资源有限，分配当局总是想把更高比例的资金配置给后者。而在当今预算约束吃紧的情况下，偏袒能产生可见短期回报的项目的倾向可以说比以往更加严重。但屈从于此是一个错误。一些科学中最有用的突破都来自对基础研究的持续投资或者不相关努力的副产品。