Biomedical research: sharing a shrinking budget

Article Abstract:

In a report issued in September 1990, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) of the National Academy of Science recommended that, since the amount of money available for research is shrinking, funding should be transferred from research and put into training students and building facilities, such as laboratories. The IOM believes that training and facilities are necessary to keep the system alive. The recommendations were made under three scenarios; one, with a budget that contains no increase in funding; second, a budget with a 2 percent increase; and third, a budget with a 4 percent increase in funding. With the first two scenarios, the IOM suggested that training funds should be increased from 4.2 to 5.75 percent of the total budget by 1995, and to 6.75 percent by the year 2000. This shift would result in the loss of 60 research grants (of approximately 5,000) and a gain of 400 new training grants. Funds for construction of facilities would be increased from 0.25 percent to 0.50 percent by the year 2000. Established researchers are expected to be outraged by these recommendations. Another solution is to fund the same number of grants, but not at the full amount requested. Some types of reforms are necessary as the number of researchers is growing and the budget is getting smaller. Congress will hear the advisory panels of the National Institutes of Health present their budget requests, which may include the IOM recommendations. Budget changes are expected to take place within a few months. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Economic aspects, Research, Biological research, Federal aid to research, Government aid to research, Institute of Medicine

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Congress looks for methods to assess clinical research

Article Abstract:

The General Accounting Office (GAO) reported that meta-analysis, or cross design synthesis, would be an effective technique for judging medical research. The report, entitled 'Cross Design Synthesis: A New Strategy for Medical Effectiveness Research,' is part of Congress' effort to devise a better way of deciding which research projects to fund. Meta-analysis involves the merging of outcomes from clinical trials of new treatments with medical databases. However, opponents of GAO's proposal point out that meta-analysis yields fragmentary and misleading information.

Usage, Meta-analysis, United States. Government Accountability Office

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Opponents of US earmarks propose reviews to temper worst elements of growing practice

Article Abstract:

Some legislators are hoping to restrain the tendency of Congress to indulge in earmarking, which occurs when huge amounts of money are appropriated for momentarily newsworthy diseases in response to pressure from activists. These earmarked funds are wasteful because they go far beyond what researchers actually need. The inclusion of $210 million for breast cancer research in the FY 1993 budget is a recent example of earmarking. Rep. George Brown and Sen. Sam Nunn hope to control the lavishing of funds for political gain through a merit review process.

Prevention, Political aspects, Waste in government spending, Government spending waste

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