Does government funding corrupt scientific research?

Question

We have often heard the argument that privately funded research is suspect because the scientists who are employed by private firms have a profit motive, and that they are predisposed to give answers consistent with their bosses' goals. But isn't that also true of scientists who are funded by government grants? Are they not motivated by the grant money and predisposed to give answers consistent with the goals of the grantor?

Your thoughts?

(I am posting this in two categories: politics and science. I'm interested if the science community has a different general opinion from the more politically inclined.)

Answer 1

Private and government funding can both corrupt scientific research. They also enable scientific research.

I just visited the Kitt Peak observatories, outside of Tucson, Arizona. I was astounded by their funding model. Most of the funding for all their research, on nearly all their telescopes, is provided by the NSF (National Science Foundation). Basically, the NSF provides blanket annual funding. A committee of practicing astronomers receives project proposals from the worldwide scientific community, and allocates resources based on the expected scientific value of the project. It's a level playing field, with resources allocated by merit. The scientists can spend their time doing science instead of fundraising.

Most sponsors are looking for knowledge and truth, and aren't biased toward a preconceived answer. Global warming is the most notable exception. The political motivations toward world government and government control are immense. Objectivity is nearly impossible.

For decades, IBM has been a leader in non-government research. By choice, they have supported a balance of theoretical and applied research. The applied research is obviously goal and product oriented, such as improved disk technology. But the theoretical is largely free to pursue science for its own sake.

Answer 2

I've done a bit of research using other people's money and would guess that the pressure is much greater when a private firm hires a researcher. If the money is given to a research foundation, the pressure on the scientist is less. It is only in a few instances that there is governmental pressure. The most egregious one would be whether there were WMDs in Iraq.