Education

Scientists: Trump’s Budget Will Limit Funds To Study ‘Microagressions’ And Build RoboSquirrels

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The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology strongly denounced President Donald Trump’s budget proposal — released Tuesday — because it calls for big funding cuts for the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation.

“The president’s budget request, which would cut the National Institutes of Health’s funding by 22 percent to $26.9 billion, would make funding new research grants a near impossibility,” said Benjamin Corb, public affairs director for the scientific group, in a statement sent to The Daily Caller.

“The National Science Foundation would also see a reduction its budget with the request calling for an 11 percent cut, bringing its budget down to $6.7 billion,” Corb also said.

“President Donald Trump’s fiscal year 2018 budget, if enacted, would significantly damage the nation’s role as the global leader of research and innovation.”

The National Institutes of Health issues a large number of research grants each year.

In 2016, for instance, a trio of researchers at the taxpayer-funded University of Northern Colorado received a $402,249 grant from the National Institutes of Health for a plan to use text messages to ask 150 dazed and confused college students how heavy marijuana use affects their academic performance and academic motivation — over a three-year period. (RELATED: Public University Will Spend $402,249 Studying Academic Performance Of STONED COLLEGE STUDENTS)

In 2014, the National Institutes of Health provided $433,577 to a group of researchers whose goal was to determine if kids who watch top-grossing G-rated and PG-rated movies are confused because non-fat characters make fun of fat characters but, at the same time, the films promote soda consumption and sedentary behaviors. (RELATED: Feds Fritter $433,577 To Determine If Movies Feature FAT PEOPLE)

The National Science Foundation issues a large number of similar research grants.

For example, the National Science Foundation shelled out $548,459 in taxpayer cash for an ongoing project at the University of Michigan which videotapes male engineering students working in campus laboratories to determine if the males are causing female engineering students to experience “microaggressions.” (RELATED: Feds Blow $548,459 To Study ‘MICROAGGRESSIONS’ Toward Female Engineering Students)

Another ongoing research projected funded by the National Science Foundation — to the tune of almost $300,000 — involves an investigation into aspects of engineering culture which serve as “impediments” to increased numbers of gay, lesbian and transgender students. The researchers who received the generous $299,998 grant from the National Science Foundation hope to find ways to train engineering professors to become “LGBTQ-affirming.” (RELATED: Federal Government Grants $300K To Make Engineering Classes ‘LGBTQ-Affirming’)

And, of course, back in 2012, San Diego State University and the University of California, Davis received a $325,000 National Science Foundation grant to build an artificial robotic squirrel. (RELATED: San Diego State Defends Using $325,000 In Federal Tax Dollars On RoboSquirrel)

“Overall, the president’s budget would bring total federal investments in scientific research spending to a 40-year low,” said Corb, the spokesman for the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

Corb is not a scientist himself. According to his LinkedIn page, he possesses a bachelor’s degree in political science from American University. (RELATED: Ritzy University Postpones Finals For ‘Students Of Color’ Traumatized By Harambe Banana Nooses)

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