Biophysical Society Bulletin | June 2023

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1% growth for the next decade. While House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) has claimed the measure would provide more than $4.5 trillion in savings to taxpayers, estimates from BPS coalition partners predict that the proposed reductions to dis cretionary spending could translate to a 22% cut to non-de fense research spending. This would result in a reduction in grants awarded and researchers funded by federal agencies. For example, the National Science Foundation estimates that the cuts would result in approximately 2,200 fewer awards and more than 31,000 fewer researchers. Around the World Mexico Passes Controversial Science Reform Bill Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador ’s effort to reshape research funding and governance was enacted following a brief debate that included no opposing lawmak ers present. This follows years of debate over the proposal between the administration, which claims the changes are needed to streamline policy and bolster support of basic and applied research, and the scientific community, which believes it gives too much power to the central funding agency, the National Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT). The administration agreed to address some concerns raised by researchers in a subsequent draft, but the new law still contains many of the controversial provisions; including the elimination of a semi-independent panel that helps the

government set research priorities and includes a relatively wide range of representatives from the public and private sectors. The Mexican Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medi cine have expressed concern that the law could restrict “free dom of research” by giving the new agency greater control and that if favors public universities. The law also abandons a yet unreached goal, backed in previous legislation, of spend ing 1% of Mexico’s gross domestic product on research. The new law is likely to face court challenges due to the nature of its passage. Scientists in India Protest Removal of Darwin’s Theory of Evolution from Textbooks Scientists in India have written an open letter in protest of a decision to remove Darwin’s theory of evolution from text books. The letter, organized by non-profit organization The Breakthrough Science Society, was launched on April 20 and currently has more than 4,000 signatures. The nonprofit began the effort after learning that the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), an autonomous government organization that sets curricula and publishes textbooks for India’s 256 million primary and secondary stu dents, had made the move as part of a “content rationaliza tion” process. Discussion of Darwinian evolution was original ly deleted from textbooks during the COVID-19 pandemic and was explained as being part of an effort to streamline online classes. NCERT officials have declined to comment about making the removal permanent.

Call for BPS Ambassador Applications Are you an advocate for biophysics education and knowledge sharing? Have you considered applying for the BPS Ambassador Program to put those skills into action? Currently, BPS works with 12 Ambassadors—4-member cohorts serving 3-year terms, representing bio physics in Argentina, Australia, China, India, Kenya, Malaysia, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Spain, and Turkey. The Ambassador Program is a global network of BPS members who serve as local Society resources in their home countries or regions to promote the field and foster conversations around biophysics. As a BPS Ambassador, you will play a key role in connecting the Society and its membership with relevant local content, serve as BPS point-of-contact, and help lead discussions on issues of importance to science around the globe. Through this program, the Society hopes to grow the biophysics network by educating and inspiring others to pursue careers in biophysics and to further develop its advocacy efforts around the world. To learn more about the program, eligibility, and benefits, visit www.biophysics.org/outreach/ambassador-program. Empowering Biophysics Globally Ambassador Program

June 2023

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