When Obama, senate and the house work out an agreement and everything "goes back to normal", there are some programs that won't, such as some time-sensitive research for science. Of course, there are many more examples of programs or people hurt by the hopefully temporary shutdown, however this is one clear-cut example.
The example is that the shutdown of McMurdo base in Antarctica caused some research that was time-sensitive to have to go on hold for an entire year. This not only affects the scientists and schools that would do the research, but also potentially students having to delay getting their PhD. Of course, that's the short-term human cost beyond the lost benefits of the research itself. Often times, Antarctica research is critical research related to global warming, our impact on nature or the environment, or the kinds of extreme conditions in which life forms can survive.
Politicians should find more appropriate ways to negotiate than holding the entire country and scientific community hostage.
Original article: http://www.livescience.com/40274-shutdown-cancels-antarctic-research.html
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