Funding cuts to ancient DNA research have resulted in the termination of over 1,600 National Science Foundation grants. Christina Warinner, an expert in the field, emphasizes the importance of this work not only for its contribution to human history but also for current understanding of our world. Despite innovative advancements, the United States lags in supporting this rapidly evolving field compared to Northern Europe. Warinner expresses concern regarding the potential decline of American leadership in archaeological storytelling due to these funding losses.
I recognize it can be hard to compare this work with medical research, which has such obvious applications for saving lives. But people also have a deep curiosity about who we are and where we come from. Our work is important because it uses our most powerful technologies to reveal how we, as humans, lived thousands of years ago so that we may better understand our world today.
It's just really sad. American archeologists have been leaders in telling the stories of humankind. But if our funding is removed, we won't be leaders anymore.
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