The article delves into the necessity of government funding for scientific research, particularly in the context of its return on investment. Citing a 2015 NIH study, it highlights that nearly all new FDA-approved drugs between 2010 and 2016 had NIH support, showing a direct link between government grants and private-sector innovation. The government reportedly earns an annual return of 25% to 40% on NIH funding, while non-defense R&D has driven a fifth of productivity growth since 1945. This emphasizes the economic benefits of R&D alongside health improvements. It also points out that foundational technologies for cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin originated from government-funded research. Moreover, a current initiative by the NIST is discussed to develop quantum-resistant algorithms to protect Bitcoin from future threats. Despite a potential budget cut to NIST, the article argues that government research is essential for both economic growth and technological advancement.

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