Thaindian News

Washington, Apr. 7 (ANI): A new poll has suggested that leaders in the United States should look more deeply at the public’s priorities, particularly regarding proposed cuts to medical, health and scientific research.

The poll, commissioned by Research!America, surveyed a mix of self-described conservatives (32 percent), liberals (32 percent) and moderates (36 percent).

Among the findings:

78 percent of Americans think federal funding for health research is important for job creation and the economy;

61 percent say accelerating our nation’s investment in research to improve health is a priority;

76 percent think global health research and development is important to the U.S. economy; and

84 percent think it is important that the government plays a role in research for prevention and wellness.

The poll shows that Americans support the entire research enterprise, from federally funded research to research funded by the private sector.

Eleven percent say they are very well informed about their elected officials’ positions on medical, health and scientific research.

To address this gap, Research America and more than a dozen partner organizations have joined forces for the 2011 launch of Your Congress-Your Health, a non-partisan constituent education initiative that asks members of the 112th Congress to share their positions on research and related issues.

The poll shows that 90 percent of Americans think the U.S. is in danger of losing its global competitive edge in science, technology and education

55 percent of Americans support tax and regulatory incentives for industries investing in and conducting health research and development; 70 percent think it is important to make the federal research and development tax credit for businesses permanent, and 84 percent think it is important to invest in regulatory science, to make the drug and device development process more efficient for businesses and safer for patients. (ANI)