[paulryanrogers]

Science has often been funded by private and state benefactors. Regardless of the source, it's most often successful when the funds have few or no strings attached.

Perhaps more political oversight will make research more accountabile to the population at large. In this era I suspect it's far more likely to benefit the few, those born into power and fame who are consolidating their power. Scientists with resources and accountable only to other scientists are uniquely dangerous to those unwilling to give up their power.