Sir

Having read the News story “Democrats condemn government 'meddling' with NIH” (Nature 425, 888; 2003), I was overcome by disgust for the blatant disregard the White House shows towards education and research. I find it difficult to understand the logic behind privatizing a historically government-run agency. It is true that you could argue that the National Institutes of Health should be run more efficiently, but you could argue that the White House should be run more efficiently too. Education and scientific advancement are the backbone of any great nation. Applying pressure and weakening morale in these areas will only lead to declined productivity, and a weaker United States of America.

A News in Brief story in the same issue, “Foreign students to foot the bill for US security scheme” (Nature 425, 892; 2003) describes the White House plan for 'taxing' foreign-student visas as a way to raise capital for homeland security. I work in a research institution that employs a large number of foreign research associates whose work advances medicine and science, often with the goal of saving lives. I have seen accomplished foreign scientists encounter situations in which immigration has made employment in the United States such a headache that they chose to take their skills to a different country.

At what point will the decision-makers in Washington realize that their 'initiatives' cause more grief than good?