On the Record

“Common sense tellsyou that you want professionals trained to the N th degree to do jobs like astronaut jobs.”

Astronaut Jerry Linenger disapproves of plans by a private company to offer spacewalks to the public — at a total cost of $35 million.

“Danger! Water contains high levels of hydrogen.”

Officials in Louisville, Kentucky, post signs to discourage residents from playing in the city's fountains.

Sources: Washington Post, Louisville Courier Journal

Scorecard

Long-range forecasts

Japanese scientists unveil plans to create a 30-year weather forecast using their Earth Simulator supercomputer.

Plants in space

China announces that it will launch a satellite this autumn solely to breed seeds in microgravity.

Australian science

A government audit shows that Australia may face a shortage of 20,000 scientists and engineers by 2012.

Number crunch

The Union of Concerned Scientists recently surveyed 997 researchers at the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and found:

70% believe the agency lacks the resources to protect public health.

60% knew of commercial interference in the FDA process.

18% had been asked to inappropriately exclude or alter technical information or their conclusions.

40% said they could not publicly express concerns about public health without fear of retaliation.

Source: Union of Concerned Scientists