SfN, FENS Issue Joint Statement on New U.S. Immigration Executive Order
Society for Neuroscience (SfN) President Eric J. Nestler and Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS) President Barry Everitt released the following statement addressing the new White House executive order on immigration, scheduled to take effect March 16.
"The Society for Neuroscience stands with the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies and other professional and scientific organizations in opposing the White House’s new immigration executive order. This order poses a threat to the advancement of the global scientific enterprise and, like the previous executive order, will have a chilling effect on scientists whose work is made stronger through engagement with colleagues from around the globe.
Global scientific collaboration leads to better health and wellness for populations in the U.S. and around the world, as well as creating stronger economies in places where scientific research occurs. American science has always relied heavily on the work of researchers from around the globe and benefited from the contributions of immigrants and refugees. Innovation is only possible through a comprehensive knitting together of the global science community because new knowledge comes from diverse voices and experiences.
We need policies that unite scientists from around the world in order to spark the creativity and ingenuity necessary to find solutions to fight the devastating diseases and disorders of the brain and nervous system. SfN and FENS urge the administration to work with the scientific community in crafting an appropriate solution – one that recognizes that science cannot be contained within borders.”
With nearly 37,000 members, the Society for Neuroscience (SfN) is the world’s largest organization dedicated to advancing the understanding of the brain and nervous system. Learn more about SfN advocacy priorities surrounding research funding and about brain science at BrainFacts.org. The Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS) is the voice of neuroscience in Europe, representing 43 European national and single-discipline neuroscience societies, comprising 22,000 members.
