Research advocates 'disappointed' over meager increases, cuts in White House proposal

Critics say 'request' for deposit of manuscript within 12 months of publication isn't enough

'Sweeping' new ethics regulations restrict stock ownership but allow some teaching, writing

NIH cancels teleconference with Zerhouni, reportedly over fears of political controversy

reported that several high-level scientists and officials at the National Institutes of Health had collectively received more than $2.5 million in consulting fees and stock options from drug and biotech companies, the NIH, Congress, and scientists are still at odds over the agency's conflict-of-interest rules.

A post-election "lame duck" Congress recently returned to Washington, DC, and approved an omnibus funding measure for fiscal year 2005, which began October 1.

As the largest city in the northwest United States, Seattle is probably known less for biotech than it is for aerospace (Boeing), software (Microsoft in nearby Redmond), coffee (Starbucks), and online retail (Amazon.com).

Research advocates troubled over cuts and meager increases for science and medicine

Report says questioning scientists about politics and policy is 'inappropriate'

Getty ImagesA proposed ban on consulting at the National Institutes of Health might make it more difficult to translate basic research findings into new drugs and therapies, according to pharmaceutical and biotech companies, who say they will need to tap new sources to provide expert help in ongoing research. The NIH announced in September that it would seek to ban its scientists from all outside paid consulting activities with drug and biotech companies for at least one year, while the agency r

Getty ImagesSigned into law by President George W. Bush in July, Project BioShield allows the federal government to spend $5.6 billion over 10 years to purchase vaccines and drugs for smallpox, anthrax, botulinum toxin, Ebola virus, plague, and other pathogens and infections. While biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies praised the initiative at the time, most are still sitting on the sidelines, waiting for additional legislation that would make biodefense a more attractive business prospect

Spending bills for NIH, NSF put off until 'lame duck' session