Since 9/11, it has been much harder for scientists to enter the United States. This has meant that other countries, notably China and India - who used to send their young science students to study in America are now sending them elsewhere, or they are educating them at home.
India and China are building impressive scientific resources of their own, and they are beginning to challenge American scientific dominance, especially in the life sciences.
Most scientists agree that some competition is a good thing, but too much competition can be a waste of resources. The balance between co-operation and competition is critical for effective science, and the world is trying to strike new scientific balances that take account of the political changes triggered by 9/11.
