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Oliver Twist and Santa Claus
Author(s) -
Gan Frank
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
embo reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.584
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1469-3178
pISSN - 1469-221X
DOI - 10.1038/sj.embor.7400157
Subject(s) - genius , agency (philosophy) , white (mutation) , luck , commission , political science , history , art history , sociology , law , philosophy , chemistry , theology , social science , biochemistry , gene
In the film version of Charles Dickens' famous novel, the innocent‐looking Oliver Twist approaches Mr Bumble, the orphanage's powerful controller of nourishment, and asks for an extra helping of gruel. “More!?” thunders an indignant Bumble, visibly upset by such an impertinent request. Apparently it was the ‘management's’ policy that only minimal support was adequate for the children in their care, who as it happened, also generated their wealth—in this case by pick‐pocketing.Similarly, scientists in the USA and Europe have also dared to approach their masters to ask for more. When Harold Varmus started his term as Director of the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), doubling the agency's budget seemed to be impossible, yet he achieved it. Others have followed suit. Earlier this year, the European Commission requested additional funding for research and asked for a substantial increase in support for the Framework programmes, which may even double the current budget. Slowly, those who control the provisions are meeting the demands of the ‘hungry’ scientists. This has not happened because of a sudden appreciation of the genius of the white‐coated brigade or because of the recognition that knowledge is one of the defining …