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Bob Barr on Science

Some of the nation's greatest innovations have been birthed at the intersection of government and science including manned space travel. As we face 21st century problems, many solutions will require scientific innovation. This topic includes information about candidates' positions on: science funding, science education, stem cell research, NASA funding, and funding for disease research.

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Bob Barr opposes increased funding for scientific research

Voted YES on the Omnibus Civilian Science Authorization Act of 1995 that appropriates $21.74 billion in funding for federal science programs for the 1996 fiscal year and $7.17 billion for the 1997 fiscal year.

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The government is not a research laboratory. Scientific research is best left to the private sector for development, and the taxpayers should not subsidize this research.

Campaign response, September 10, 2008

Bob Barr strongly opposes funding for stem cell research

Bob Barr, former US House Representative (R-GA), in an Aug. 10, 2001 article titled "Barr Disappointed in President's Stem Cell Decision" on his US House of Representatives website, stated: "I am disappointed with the President's decision to initiate federally funded embryonic stem cell research. It is morally and ethically wrong, and I will continue to oppose it."

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The Massachusetts biotech firm denounced by the White House for cloning a human embryo was awarded a $1.8 million research grant in October by the Commerce Department. The research by Advanced Cell Technology (ACT) intends to find ways to treat major neurological degenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, without using embryonic stem cells or cloned embryos. Nevertheless, Rep. Bob Barr, Georgia Republican, sent a letter Friday to Commerce Secretary Donald L. Evans, asking him to explain why the grant was given to the Worcester company whose officials have made it known for months they intended to clone a human embryo and would move abroad if a House-passed bill to ban all human cloning becomes law.

The Washington Times, December 2, 2001

Voted NO to adopt an amendment that removes provisions of a bill that bans Federal funding of human embryo research.

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Bob Barr strongly supports increased funding for NASA

"Bureaucracy and budget cuts have held back needed funding for new programs, but something even greater has been hampering the space program – absence of vision. In the 1960s we had a clear vision to accomplish a goal, used the proper resources and did the job right. The program today appears to have become a bureaucratic stepchild on life support...The space program needs to be on the front end of technology as it once was. The benefits to society of an efficient space program are numerous. If the program cannot be the best, with the best technology, the best manpower and the best resources, then perhaps our country should forgo it altogether."

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Bob Barr strongly opposes increased emphasis on science education in public school curriculum

"The federal government should have no role in determining the curriculums for schools. These decisions should be left to the communities and school districts to decide--not the Feds."

Campaign response, September 10, 2008

Bob Barr strongly opposes increased funding for the NIH, and AIDS and disease research

"The government is not a research laboratory. Scientific research is best left to the private sector for development, and the taxpayers should not subsidize this research."

Campaign response, September 10, 2008