On the Campaign Trail

Whatever the result of November’s election, most observers expect the next US president to be more science-friendly than George W. Bush. Both Barack Obama and John McCain are expected to repeal Bush’s curbs on stem-cell research and step up the fight against climate change. Of course, the two men differ on some details of science-related issues. The most important test of the candidates is not a matter of policy details, however, suggests this article from Nature. More important is whether the candidates can embrace science’s ethos of impartiality and empiricism. Largely ignored by the president over the last eight years, scientists look for a president who will make decisions based on evidence rather than ideology. - YaleGlobal