Biomedical engineers and scientists: our own worst enemies

It is argued that opportunities to influence public policy affecting the availability of resources for research are being missed every day and will continue to be missed until the members of the research community learn how to influence public decision-making by exploiting political opportunities. Put another way, only when the members of the research community become involved routinely in the political process at all levels will their endeavors become the top national priority. The ways in which researchers can become involved in advocacy processes and concrete measures they can take to become politically active without neglecting their primary responsibilities are discussed.<>