Elon Musk’s “massive attacks” on publicly funded scientific research make his position as a member of Britain’s Royal Society increasingly difficult and he should consider resigning his fellowship, its incoming president has said.
Sir Paul Nurse said the institution should not be afraid to criticise Musk, who was made a fellow for his work with SpaceX and Tesla. He added that the centuries-old society was in an unprecedented situation in having one of its own members “attacking the scientific community” in this way.
“He has said things and instigated things . . . which are destroying great universities in the US, destroying science, destroying people’s careers,” Nurse said. “He has behaved in ways that have really damaged the scientific endeavour in the United States.”
Sir Paul Nurse said the institution should not be afraid to criticise Musk
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Nurse,
