Research major priority, survey says

By Holly Korschun

The Woodruff Sciences Center and Research!America co-sponsored a recent statewide survey that found Georgians strongly want their state to be a national leader in medical research (97 percent) and science and engineering research (96 percent). Ray Merenstein, vice president for programs at Research!America, presented the survey at “Meeting of the Minds.”

Almost half the 800 adult Georgians surveyed think the state is already very much there (47 percent for medicine, 46 percent for science and engineering). Ninety-five percent believe such research leadership is important to the state’s economy.

“Georgians show great awareness and sophistication in perceiving the value of research, even basic science which extends knowledge without having an immediate application, and clinical research in which volunteers test new drugs, devices and other treatments,” said Michael Johns, executive vice president for health affairs.

Georgians are also willing to put their federal and state tax money, even their own money, where their mouth is, Johns said.

Ninety-five percent believe more money for science research and engineering should be a national priority. In fact, as a national priority, Georgians rank science research and engineering ahead of Social Security/Medicare and tax cuts.