Re “A lab is liquidated and so is a decade of cancer studies’’ (A1, Aug. 7): This sad tale of research reaching a dead end is just one consequence of congressional inaction in this vital area. Robust investments by the federal government are essential in order to sustain and grow the level of clinical research that is necessary to advance medical knowledge that benefits everyone. Physicians and scientists who have spent their careers investigating medical and scientific questions and young investigators who are ready to embark on a research career need to feel confident that federal funding sources are reliable and sufficient. Funding that is inadequate to support our most creative scientists will harm our populace and our economy in the short and long term.

Edwin Andrews

Administrative Director

MGH Clinical Research Center