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In this well written article, Josh Bloom describes what happened with hundreds of thousands of jobs in science. I bring this up is to respond to the preposterous claims that America does not have enough scientists (talent), which drives the massive outsourcing. I would like to mention that a similar process took place since 2000 with engineering jobs. [Vanishing science jobs--Josh Bloom - NYPOST.com
The question most leaders avoid, is what this trend means for America's future.
I'm a pharma scientist and I know a few scientists from Wyeth that have been taking a bath. At my co, one of the giants, we have a lot of big named senior scientists transplanted from pfizer. The article is unfortunately spot on. Patents are expiring all over the place and co's are scrambling. I don't get pfizer, but they have definitely followed the mantra of killing R&D to save on expense while attempting to profit in other ways. As the article notes, it's the reasoning behind the buy out of Wyeth.
On the flip side, it's not all bad news. My co is thriving. As I understand it, they've had record profits during the recession. Why? We actually have an MD/PhD at the helm who is really smart (imo). He started down our current path more than a decade ago and it's paying off. They cut marketing and increased R&D. Now, we have dozens of drugs in the pipeline. We're expanding in Cambridge and a new site is being built between now and the next 5 years. In the last ten years they built 5 sites. Other co's are starting to follow suit. Biogen is bringing their R&D sites from the west to MA and sanofi-aventis (french co) just bought out genzyme and is bringing more R&D to MA.
I know things can change in the blink of an eye, but the building of new sites gives me hope. Either way, I'll try to sit tight with my co for as long as possible.
I'm a pharma scientist and I know a few scientists from Wyeth that have been taking a bath. At my co, one of the giants, we have a lot of big named senior scientists transplanted from pfizer. The article is unfortunately spot on. Patents are expiring all over the place and co's are scrambling. I don't get pfizer, but they have definitely followed the mantra of killing R&D to save on expense while attempting to profit in other ways. As the article notes, it's the reasoning behind the buy out of Wyeth.
On the flip side, it's not all bad news. My co is thriving. As I understand it, they've had record profits during the recession. Why? We actually have an MD/PhD at the helm who is really smart (imo). He started down our current path more than a decade ago and it's paying off. They cut marketing and increased R&D. Now, we have dozens of drugs in the pipeline. We're expanding in Cambridge and a new site is being built between now and the next 5 years. In the last ten years they built 5 sites. Other co's are starting to follow suit. Biogen is bringing their R&D sites from the west to MA and sanofi-aventis (french co) just bought out genzyme and is bringing more R&D to MA.
I know things can change in the blink of an eye, but the building of new sites gives me hope. Either way, I'll try to sit tight with my co for as long as possible.
There is a lot good to be said for a company having a CEO with experience in the core biz. In the nuclear industry it's easy to see how much better run the companies with engineers at the helm are than the ones with accountants or lawyers running the show.
It's quite simple. What happened with science jobs is the same thing that's happening with pretty much all jobs: they were outsourced to China and India, where qualified people can do the work for a fraction of the cost. That's what we get when we decide that a largely unregulated global capitalist structure is best.
There is a lot good to be said for a company having a CEO with experience in the core biz. In the nuclear industry it's easy to see how much better run the companies with engineers at the helm are than the ones with accountants or lawyers running the show.
Good thing to check out when hunting for a job.
Good point. It is something to consider when looking for a job. I'm learning as I go.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ambient
It's quite simple. What happened with science jobs is the same thing that's happening with pretty much all jobs: they were outsourced to China and India, where qualified people can do the work for a fraction of the cost. That's what we get when we decide that a largely unregulated global capitalist structure is best.
We have a huge site in China. We have sites all over the globe. But, the heavy lifting is left to Cambridge. We're in bed with MIT, Harvard, and a few others. Until China and India become academic meccas, I suspect it will remain here.
It's quite simple. What happened with science jobs is the same thing that's happening with pretty much all jobs: they were outsourced to China and India, where qualified people can do the work for a fraction of the cost. That's what we get when we decide that a largely unregulated global capitalist structure is best.
I second that.
What most people don't get is that everything can be made cheaper by someone else on the globe. And, in this case, should we just shut down the business called USA?
I second that.
What most people don't get is that everything can be made cheaper by someone else on the globe. And, in this case, should we just shut down the business called USA?
Yeah, I know the myth. If you read the article, you know much of the R&D of the companies mentioned was moved to China and India. (On the other hand the top executives still prefer good ol California and NYC).
And since there is a significant risk associated with innovations, many prefer not to invest. Better keep the money elsewhere.
20 years ago people refused to believe outsourcing will lead to the results we see now. (The housing bubble masked our real situation for years). I had been told that China and India will only produce cheap items which are not profitable in the US. But surprise, surprise...
Anyway, you are still hooked on the "innovation myth" which will supposedly pull the US out of recession. Good luck with that.
(Others are insisting some undefined "green jobs" will replace the millions lost in last decades)
Last edited by oberon_1; 06-25-2011 at 04:32 PM..
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