Pasteur's Quadrant

1. Science: The Bedrock of Progress

Scientific progress is one essential key to our security as a nation, to our better health, to more jobs, to a higher standard of living, and to our cultural progress.

Science is fundamental. The report emphasizes that scientific advancement is not merely a luxury but a necessity for national well-being. It directly impacts health, security, employment, and overall quality of life. Without continuous scientific progress, a nation risks stagnation and decline in all these critical areas.

Examples of science's impact:

• The development of penicillin saved countless lives during wartime.
• Radar technology was crucial in achieving victory in World War II.
• New industries like radio, air conditioning, and plastics have created millions of jobs.

Science as a team player. Science doesn't operate in isolation; it's most effective when integrated with other sectors of society. However, it is the essential foundation upon which other advancements are built. Neglecting science undermines progress in all other fields.

2. Investing in Health Through Research

The annual deaths from one or two diseases far exceed the total number of American lives lost in battle during this war.

Disease burden. The report highlights the staggering impact of disease on the population, emphasizing that the lives lost to illness far surpass those lost in war. This underscores the urgent need for medical research to combat diseases and improve public health.

Progress through research:

• Life expectancy has increased significantly due to advancements in medicine.
• Diseases like diabetes and pernicious anemia have been brought under control.
• Childhood mortality rates have been drastically reduced.

Government support is crucial. The report argues that government funding is essential to sustain medical research, as traditional sources of support are dwindling. This investment will lead to breakthroughs in preventing and curing diseases, ultimately saving lives and improving the nation's health.

3. Securing the Nation Through Scientific Advancement

We cannot again rely on our allies to hold off the enemy while we struggle to catch up.

Scientific preparedness. The report stresses the critical role of scientific research in national security. Relying on allies to develop advanced technologies is no longer a viable strategy. A nation must invest in its own scientific capabilities to maintain a strong defense.

Examples of science in warfare:

• The battle against U-boats was a battle of scientific techniques.
• Radar provided crucial advantages in detecting and countering enemy threats.
• New weapons and tactics are constantly evolving through scientific research.

Civilian-military partnership. The report advocates for a civilian-controlled organization to conduct military research, supplementing the efforts of the Army and Navy. This partnership ensures that the latest scientific discoveries are applied to military needs, strengthening national defense.

4. Basic Research: The Wellspring of Innovation

Basic scientific research is scientific capital.

Foundation of progress. Basic research, driven by curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge, is the foundation upon which all practical applications are built. It generates the new principles and conceptions that lead to new products, processes, and industries.

Importance of basic research:

• It provides the means to solve a wide range of practical problems.
• Many important discoveries arise from unexpected sources during basic research.
• It is the pacemaker of technological progress.

Support for universities and research institutes. The report emphasizes the need to strengthen colleges, universities, and research institutes, as they are the primary centers of basic research. These institutions provide the environment most conducive to scientific discovery, free from commercial pressures.

5. Cultivating Scientific Talent

The real ceiling on our productivity of new scientific knowledge and its application in the war against disease, and the development of new products and new industries, is the number of trained scientists available.

Human capital. The report identifies the shortage of trained scientists as a major obstacle to progress. The number of qualified researchers directly limits the nation's ability to generate new knowledge and apply it to practical problems.

Addressing the deficit:

• The war has created a significant deficit in science and technology students.
• Talented individuals from all segments of the population should have access to higher education in science.
• The generation in uniform should be given opportunities to continue their scientific education.

Government scholarships and fellowships. The report recommends government-funded scholarships and fellowships to attract talented young people to science. This investment in human capital will ensure a steady supply of skilled researchers for the future.

6. Unlocking Wartime Scientific Knowledge

A broad dissemination of scientific information upon which further advances can readily be made furnishes a sounder foundation for our national security than a policy of restriction which would impede our own progress although imposed in the hope that possible enemies would not catch up with us.

Sharing knowledge. The report argues that wartime scientific knowledge should be made public as soon as possible, consistent with military security. This dissemination of information will stimulate new enterprises, create jobs, and improve national well-being.

Benefits of open science:

• It allows scientists to build upon existing knowledge and make further advances.
• It prevents duplication of effort and accelerates the pace of discovery.
• It fosters collaboration and innovation.

Board for declassification. The report recommends establishing a board composed of military and civilian scientists to oversee the declassification and release of scientific information. This ensures that valuable knowledge is made available to the public while protecting national security.

7. Government's Role in Fostering Science

The Federal Government should accept new responsibilities for promoting the creation of new scientific knowledge and the development of scientific talent in our youth.

New responsibilities. The report asserts that the government has a crucial role to play in promoting science. This includes supporting basic research, coordinating research programs, formulating national science policy, and fostering the exchange of scientific information.

Government support is essential because:

• It addresses areas of science that are unlikely to be adequately cultivated by private sources.
• It ensures that the benefits of scientific progress are widely available.
• It strengthens the nation's health, security, and economy.

Preserving private support. While advocating for government funding, the report also emphasizes the importance of maintaining private support for research. A balanced approach, with both public and private investment, is essential for a thriving scientific ecosystem.

8. The National Research Foundation: A Proposed Solution

It is my judgment that the national interest in scientific research and scientific education can best be promoted by the creation of a National Research Foundation.

Centralized agency. The report proposes the creation of a National Research Foundation to oversee and coordinate government support for science. This independent agency would be responsible for developing national science policy, supporting basic research, and cultivating scientific talent.

Key features of the Foundation:

• It would be composed of experts in science and education.
• It would operate through grants and contracts to external organizations.
• It would be responsible to the President and Congress.

Divisions within the Foundation:

• Medical Research
• Natural Sciences
• National Defense
• Scientific Personnel and Education
• Publications and Scientific Collaboration

Last updated: March 10, 2025