Cadie and Thea are willing to lose their jobs over attempts to quash their research. Yet science relies on public funding, which is tied to the attitudes and opinions of voters. What would it take to resolve that power struggle?

Cadie and Thea take a stand and are willing to lose their jobs over federal attempts to quash their research. Yet scientific discovery relies on public funding, which is tied to the attitudes and opinions of voters. What would it take to resolve that power struggle?

In order to have scientific discoveries to separate from politics or voter wishes, the research would have to be independently funded. It would not be government related. The problem with independent financing would be that it would still reflect the attitudes and opinions of whoever is financing the research.

Less greed and more concern for the planet. Good luck! Greed always rules.

We need to end this anti-science and anti-education era that we are suddenly living in. There should be more funding for teachers and schools so that our children can learn how to think critically in order to not fall victim to the propaganda that is overwhelming our society. We also need to revitalize national pride in accomplishments in the areas of science, discovery and innovation. Somehow, we have lost that--it's cooler to be an influencer on Instagram instead.

I think it takes education. We have lost sight of science and facts and have focused on doing things faster for less money no matter what the cost. We need to find a way to educate the people in a way that they will participate in. Social media will probably need to be utilized.

I completely agree, I think education is the most important thing! Prioritizing public health and safety over capitalism is going to be essential going forward.

We need to start with young children and their parents on the need of understanding of what is happening to the environment around us and the need to appreciate and preserve it. We need to finance this effort through funding from government agencies plus non-profit groups. Preserving the planet starts with preserving the local community with community wide programs such community gardens.

A full scale societal shift would need to take place - not just a change in political party or some catchy marketing about the topic. We need to value the Earth and recognize life as bigger than just the tiny roles our lives play in the Overall. I feel, and maybe this makes me pessimistic, that this is unlikely.

Therefore, it is going to take some sort of irreparable world event to ignite the shift. Only then can what is "right" be at the forefront and supersede all fabricated political/legal barriers.

My husband and son are both scientists so I’ve loved this conflict for a long time. We need more education and support for the Sciences to eliminate suspicion and ignorance.

I prefer private funding of research rather than government funding. Look at what private industry managed to accomplish with the COVID vaccine in the US. Research is regularly quashed by government or competitors. And as long as public teachers unions manage education, we are doomed. Example- there would be more money for private research into pharmaceuticals if the pharmaceutical companies didn’t spend so much on lobbying & advertising.

Motivation matters. Often you have to risk losing everything to do the right thing.

It seems to me that suspicion and mistrust of motives often seem to be underlying research. Until the belief that the power behind research is the greater good of the planet and its people, suspicions of political, financial, and personal gains will likely continue to overshadow science. Changing attitudes is crucial, however, I can tell you as a teacher, the schools can't do it all.