W. Andrew Harrell
Edmonton Journal
Thursday, November 10, 2005
I would like to congratulate Carl Phillips on receiving a $1.5-million US grant to investigate the health risks of smokeless tobacco products.
The grant will greatly benefit Edmonton and the university community. The $1.5 million will directly pay for graduate students, research assistants, office and technical staff, office space and supplies, and other products and services necessary for the day-to-day research process.
The 15 per cent overhead going to the university will contribute to its educational mandate, helping to pay teaching assistants and support staff, utilities and other costs.
The public should keep in mind that, in recent decades, Canadian universities have been underfunded. University faculty should not be blamed for creatively pursuing less than "respectable" sources of funding.
Furthermore, comparing the University of Alberta's funding policies with those of private U.S. schools such as Harvard is inappropriate. No Canadian universities enjoy similar stature and large private endowments.
If readers would like to assist the University of Alberta with an endowment that would permit the proper research and moral purity, I am sure a large, untainted cash donation would be welcomed.
As to the merits of Phillips's research, a university and the people it serves will suffer if there are prohibitions on the content of the research conducted at the university.
There are a limitlessness number of "dangerous" and unpopular products and ideas. Science would do a disservice to pick and choose among these at the whim of political correctness, zealots and advocates.
Clearly, smokeless tobacco inspires a number of opposite views and positions. As such, it is a wonder topic for Phillips to investigate. It also provides a science-based forum and ground rules for comment.
W. Andrew Harrell, executive director, Population Research Laboratory, University of Alberta