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Researching the market

January 28, 2009 John-Paul MichalskiLisez en Francais

Every lab supervisor’s favorite time of the year has come and gone: writing grant applications. It is these grants, given by such organizations as the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, as well the Canadian government, which makes our research, as well as thousands of other labs across our country, possible. Some have predicted that total funding for new research initiatives, both at home and globally, will see a downturn, due of course to troubles in the global economy. Those most affected will be smaller labs, or new investigators to the field, who already subsist on next to nothing.

What are your thoughts on funding in Canada? Or globally? How do you think instability in the markets will affect research?


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Posted in MS Research | Permalink | Have your say: 4 Comments

Comments

From  Steve Weisz  on  January 28, 2009
I have had Primary Progressive MS for 9 years now and I consider myself lucky because I am still able to work and be a contributing member of society. But if research into MS is not adequately funded to find better treatments or a cure than I eventually will no longer be able to work. It would be extremely shortsighted of governments to reduce funding because instead of being able to contribute to society I will become a drain to it. Helping fund research to find treatments or a cure would be a net benefit for government balance books. Lets work together to open their eyes.
From  Kirsten MacDonell  on  February 04, 2009
I agree with Steve's comments. Every gainfully employed person contributes to a better economy. If research funding is cut, we are taking a step backwards. In the long run - and unfortunately our government can't often see beyond a 4 year term - the more healthy our society is, the more people we have productively contributing to the overall system and the less of a burden it is to our health care system.
From  Rashmi Kothary  on  February 06, 2009
Research Funding always seems to take the first hit in an economic downturn. All the more reason to rally and speak loudly on the economic benefits of supporting rsearch at the most fundmental level.
From  Michael "Augy" Augustine  on  February 12, 2009
I talked to some of the staff at the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada and learned that they share your concerns. We are actively engaged with all parties at the Provincial and Federal levels, to educate politicians and officials on the importance of support for MS research, and indeed, all health research. I also learned that the MS Societys support for its own research program will likely increase this year. This is terrific news. New initiatives such as the MS Ambassador program --of which I am a part --are specifically created to better allow people living with multiple sclerosis to communicate our needs. Today, we are making groundbreaking strides in the area of fundraising, and this very website is evidence of our ongoing commitment, to provide valuable resources to physicians, scientists, clinicians and researchers, and to lead the way towards new and innovative treatments that will enable us to inevitably end MS!

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