U.S. scientists drawn to Singapore

Singapore is making a concerted effort to attract foreign scientists, and is beginning to have some success with U.S. stem cell researchers.  The Southeast Asian city-state is trying to grow its biotechnology sector in an effort to become the “Boston of the East.”

Singapore’s siren song is growing increasingly more irresistible for scientists, especially stem cell researchers who feel stifled by the U.S. government’s restrictions on their field. … what sets Singapore apart is the shear size of its effort to become the “Boston of the east” — along with its promise to limit government meddling. …

“I am offering them academic freedom,” Yeo said, adding that recruits typically get sizable five-year government grants with few strings attached. “They don’t need to spend their time writing grant applications. We are much more efficient.”

The lure of Singapore, though, comes with other questions, as noted later in the article:

Freedom from paperwork is one thing, but some question whether some of Singapore’s harsh social policies, which include punishing political dissent, can attract and retain enough top scientists.

That, of course, has always been the trade-off in Singapore, which is a remarkably well-run and attractive place to live.  But Singaporeans have essentially accepted a restriction on some political and personal freedoms in exchange for a secure and affluent society. One can argue the pros and cons of that trade-off all day, but it does seem a bit ironic for Singapore to be criticized for restricting political freedoms, while the U.S. is at the same time restricting the research freedom of some of its scientists.  An argument can be made for or against either policy, but in the end, each government is making decisions based on its own values.

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