Edsall Attacks Government Policy On Refusing Grants for Research

The government's policy of refusing or rescinding research grants on political grounds has been attacked in print by John T. Edsall '23, professor of Biological Chemistry and chairman of the Board of Tutors in Biochemical Sciences.

In an article in the May issue of Science magazine, Edsall states that the government is denying funds to scientists who are not even working on security projects.

A statement from the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare explained that according to present policy, the government denies support when an "individual has engaged or is engaging in subversive activities or when there is serious question of his loyalty."

Edsall pointed out that the accusations which prompted the actions against certain scientists came from anonymous sources, citing the example of John P. Peters, who was removed from a special consultant post for the Public Health Service.

Peters lost his position after testimony from accusers who would not speak under oath, even though prominent men spoke openly in his behalf.

The refusal of grants involves implications against the accused men of which the government gives no explanation, he contended.

The investigator not only loses funds vital for his research, but finds certain doubts suddenly raised about his past, he said.