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U.S. Dominance in Science Faces Asian Challenge U.S. Dominance in Science Faces Asian Challenge
(7 months later)
WASHINGTON — The United States’ predominance in science and technology is fading, a report released this month by the National Science Board warns. WASHINGTON — The United States’ predominance in science and technology is fading, a report released this month by the National Science Board warns.
The report underscores what a powerhouse the United States remains in knowledge- and technology-intensive industries, including high-tech manufacturing, energy and pharmaceuticals.The report underscores what a powerhouse the United States remains in knowledge- and technology-intensive industries, including high-tech manufacturing, energy and pharmaceuticals.
All in all, those industries account for about 40 percent of American economic output, more than in any other developed country, it finds.All in all, those industries account for about 40 percent of American economic output, more than in any other developed country, it finds.
But with the rise of increasingly competitive emerging economies, the report suggests, underinvestment in research and development — in part because of federal cutbacks — might translate into a less dominant, less productive American economy in the future.But with the rise of increasingly competitive emerging economies, the report suggests, underinvestment in research and development — in part because of federal cutbacks — might translate into a less dominant, less productive American economy in the future.
The world is undergoing a “dramatic shift in the global scientific landscape,” said Dan E. Arvizu, the chief executive of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the chairman of the National Science Board.The world is undergoing a “dramatic shift in the global scientific landscape,” said Dan E. Arvizu, the chief executive of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the chairman of the National Science Board.
“Emerging economies understand the role science and innovation play in the global marketplace and in economic competitiveness and have increasingly placed a priority on building their capacity in science and technology,” he said.“Emerging economies understand the role science and innovation play in the global marketplace and in economic competitiveness and have increasingly placed a priority on building their capacity in science and technology,” he said.
The biennial report from the National Science Board — which governs the federally funded National Science Foundation and advises the White House and Congress — shows the heady rise of newly industrializing nations in Asia more than it does stagnation or decline in the United States.The biennial report from the National Science Board — which governs the federally funded National Science Foundation and advises the White House and Congress — shows the heady rise of newly industrializing nations in Asia more than it does stagnation or decline in the United States.
The United States remains the single biggest investor in research and development, spending about $429 billion a year, compared to $208 billion for China and $147 billion for Japan.The United States remains the single biggest investor in research and development, spending about $429 billion a year, compared to $208 billion for China and $147 billion for Japan.
But the share of annual global research spending in the United States has declined sharply, to 30 percent in 2011 from 37 percent a decade before. For Europe, the decline was to 22 percent from 26 percent.But the share of annual global research spending in the United States has declined sharply, to 30 percent in 2011 from 37 percent a decade before. For Europe, the decline was to 22 percent from 26 percent.
At the same time, the share of research done by Asian countries grew to 34 percent from 25 percent, with China’s share alone growing to 15 percent from 2 percent in 2000.At the same time, the share of research done by Asian countries grew to 34 percent from 25 percent, with China’s share alone growing to 15 percent from 2 percent in 2000.
As a result, the Asian economies now perform a larger share of global research and development than the United States does. China carries out about as much high-tech manufacturing as the United States does, the report found.As a result, the Asian economies now perform a larger share of global research and development than the United States does. China carries out about as much high-tech manufacturing as the United States does, the report found.
But the report also highlights some important market sectors where the United States appears to be falling behind.But the report also highlights some important market sectors where the United States appears to be falling behind.
For instance, emerging economies invested about $100 billion in clean energy in 2012, with China alone investing more than $60 billion. The United States spent only $29 billion.For instance, emerging economies invested about $100 billion in clean energy in 2012, with China alone investing more than $60 billion. The United States spent only $29 billion.
More worryingly, the report finds that the United States might be lagging in the research and development spending that scientists say is the most important fuel for future innovation.More worryingly, the report finds that the United States might be lagging in the research and development spending that scientists say is the most important fuel for future innovation.
Moreover, many countries spend larger and faster-growing proportions of their economic output on research.Moreover, many countries spend larger and faster-growing proportions of their economic output on research.
“The United States remains the world’s leader in science and technology,” said Ray M. Bowen of the National Science Board. “But there are numerous indicators showing how rapidly the world is changing and how other nations are challenging our predominance. As other countries focus on increasing their innovation capacities, we can ill afford to stand still.”“The United States remains the world’s leader in science and technology,” said Ray M. Bowen of the National Science Board. “But there are numerous indicators showing how rapidly the world is changing and how other nations are challenging our predominance. As other countries focus on increasing their innovation capacities, we can ill afford to stand still.”
The report found that United States research took a hit from the recession, with businesses cutting back sharply during the downturn, though the federal government’s stimulus did buffer the effects.The report found that United States research took a hit from the recession, with businesses cutting back sharply during the downturn, though the federal government’s stimulus did buffer the effects.
But it did not analyze the effects of the sharp, long-term budget cuts known as “sequestration.” Congress eased some of those budget cuts in a recent bipartisan deal.But it did not analyze the effects of the sharp, long-term budget cuts known as “sequestration.” Congress eased some of those budget cuts in a recent bipartisan deal.
But uncertainty and concern about cutbacks remain for the National Institutes of Health and other major research facilities. That has led to widespread worries about brain drain from industries that rely heavily on federal funding, especially biomedical research.But uncertainty and concern about cutbacks remain for the National Institutes of Health and other major research facilities. That has led to widespread worries about brain drain from industries that rely heavily on federal funding, especially biomedical research.
In a recent survey organized by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 85 percent of responding scientists said that reduced federal investment “has allowed our global competitors to catch up to and even pass the U.S. in scientific research.”In a recent survey organized by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 85 percent of responding scientists said that reduced federal investment “has allowed our global competitors to catch up to and even pass the U.S. in scientific research.”
About one in five said they were considering leaving the country for the benefit of their careers.About one in five said they were considering leaving the country for the benefit of their careers.
The new spending deal “falls short of restoring funding for lifesaving National Institutes of Health biomedical research,” said Carrie D. Wolinetz, the head of United for Medical Research, an advocacy group.The new spending deal “falls short of restoring funding for lifesaving National Institutes of Health biomedical research,” said Carrie D. Wolinetz, the head of United for Medical Research, an advocacy group.
The package, she said, “won’t adequately reverse the damage done by last year’s budget sequester and ensure the nation’s biomedical research enterprise makes continued progress in lifesaving research and development.”The package, she said, “won’t adequately reverse the damage done by last year’s budget sequester and ensure the nation’s biomedical research enterprise makes continued progress in lifesaving research and development.”