Professional Grant Writers

You propose a rational idea to increase the efficiency of scientific research. It is a good one.¹ The current focus on grants is destructive, because the fruits of our labor are understanding and dissemination of knowledge. Grants are but a weak surrogate for this activity. Thank you for writing a highly lucid and informative article. We hope it opens a dialogue.

George Perry and Mark Smith George Perry, PhD

Professor, Institute of Pathology Case Western Reserve University george.perry@case.edu

I enjoyed your article on hiring grant writers.¹ I agree with your opinion. The progress of science is compromised by grants awarded for "cures of cancer" and "fountains of youth." Indeed, it would be nice to separate creative scientists from "sales-scientists." If a creative scientist came forward with a "salesman trap," we may be able to catch them and study their useful skills. The trap, however, may take forever to...