Re “Hype vs. hope’’ (Opinion, Oct. 13): Heightened investment across the research continuum, from basic to preventive research, is essential if we want people to work at the level of scientific opportunity to find the solutions to what ails us. As Eric S. Lander notes in his op-ed, basic research lays the groundwork for breakthroughs that may take a decade or more to occur. Seventy-six percent of Americans say basic scientific research that advances the frontiers of knowledge, even if it brings no immediate benefits, is necessary and should be supported by the federal government. While the payoffs of supporting research may take a while to be realized, they won’t happen at all if we don’t make fueling medical progress a priority in this nation.

The United States spends only about 5 cents of each health dollar on research to understand, prevent, cure, and treat disease and disability. Most Americans say that is simply not enough; in fact, 62 percent even say they would pay more in taxes if they were assured the money would go toward research.

As scientists work diligently to turn cancer from a deadly disease to a treatable chronic condition, elected officials and candidates running for national office must commit to robust and sustained investments in research.

Mary Woolley

President and CEO

Research!America

Arlington, Va.