Dr. Peter Agre, professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, addressed a packed auditorium Wednesday in a lecture sponsored by Scientists and Engineers for Change. Agre, winner of the 2003 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, discussed concerns about science policy and the upcoming presidential election.
The self-proclaimed \Mr. Magoo of science,"" he explained why he only recently added political activism to his diverse list of occupations.
""There is a different climate in terms of science now than in years gone by,"" Agre said. He linked the USA Patriot Act and other post-9/11 homeland security measures to interferences in scientific research. To illustrate, Agre presented statistics showing the number of visas issued to foreign-educated scientists have dropped by 28 percent in the past two years.
Agre also discussed policy regarding stem cells.
""It's quite clear that stem cell research will have positive effects for medicine,"" he said, but the Bush administration refuses to fund this research.
In addition to analyzing specific science policies, Agre pointed out many new appointees to the Department of Health and Human Services and the National Institutes of Health represent political agendas instead of scientific interests.
Agre stressed while scientists may not be political experts, they can use their position as respected thinkers to bring important issues into the public eye.
""I'd like to use my laureate status as an opportunity to promote discussion and to encourage everyone to vote,"" Agre said. ""The importance of voting is very, very real, and the people of Wisconsin can make a big difference here and all across the country.""
Natalie Nimmer of Scientists and Engineers for Change said the organization wanted Agre to lecture at universities because Agre himself has been directly affected by science policy.
""As a researcher, he knows that the Bush administration's policies are bad for medical research and for medicine in the United States,"" Nimmer said.
UW-Madison junior Andrea Jones said the chance to hear a scientist's views on political issues attracted her to the lecture.
""I'm glad people like him are out there spreading knowledge and influence,"" Jones said.
Arjun Arunachalam, a UW-Madison Ph.D. student in electrical engineering, also expressed appreciation for Agre's activism.
""A man in his position is taking a risk of being criticized,"" Arunachalam said, ""but efforts by faculty to discuss these issues are very crucial.\
