Comment from Patricia O'Kane
Patricia O'KaneOpposeAcademic
Summary: A university professor and scientist opposes the proposed rule, arguing that it will censor scientific research and destroy the federal architecture that supports innovation. They contend that the regulation will undermine the economy, stifle international collaboration, and hinder efforts to address the climate crisis.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment. I am a scientist and have been teaching at universities for nearly three decades. Please do not approve this new rule. This is a blatant attempt to censor science and scientists, and a devastating assault on our democracy and world-class education system. I was born the year before President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. He was the president who fully opened the doors of the White House to scientists six decades ago, who embraced the latest technology and who made sure that the federal government undergirded the scientific enterprise. He created the initial federal financial and regulatory architecture that supports scientific research because President Kennedy understood that scientific innovation is the engine of our economy and democracy. This rule will destroy that architecture, undermine that economic engine, set our country back decades in terms of research capability, stifle international collaboration and force scientists to censor ourselves in order to keep our jobs. It will not "make America great, again." It will also seriously affect our economy overall and compromise our children's future. Scientists need to be working 24/7 on solutions to the climate crisis without government censors. We must stop destroying our planet; it is the only home our children and grandchildren have.