Comment from Andrew Mugler

[200.202(e), 200.220] To Whom it May Concern: I am an associate professor in biological physics. I am writing in my personal capacity to oppose the proposed revisions to sections 200.202(e) and 200.220 that would restrict international scientific collaboration and isolate American scientists. I have had successful collaborations with scientists in Europe, India, Japan, and South Korea. These collaborations have led to breakthroughs in our understanding of cancer metastasis, embryonic development, and antibiotics. I have recently been prevented from collaborating with a scientific colleague from China by our universities due to strained relations between our countries. This has impeded scientific progress and prevented new basic discoveries on antibiotic resistance. Institutionalized bans would worsen this divide and severely curb human scientific advancement. International collaboration is essential to the advancement of science and has a synergistic effect, thus accelerating US science specifically. Banning collaboration will only hurt ourselves in the process.