Unlike the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, which has statutory duties as an arm of government, and in contrast to the academies of Eastern Europe, which are directly involved in the financing of science, the Royal Society is an entirely private, independent body. Traditionally close to government as a source of informed but informal advice, the Society has found itself drawn increasingly into public debate about the funding of research. It was this aspect of the Society's role with which Bernard Dixon, European editor of The Scientist, began his interview with Sir George Porter on November 19, 1986. This is an edited, shortened version of their talk.
We need to recognize that most, if not all, basic research does eventually benefit industry. Where some of our politicians go seriously wrong is in suggesting that people doing fundamental science should mend their ways and concentrate on short-term applications to get rich ...
