More countries are prioritizing national security over scientific discovery

Why can't we all just get along... for the good of science? New research suggests countries prioritizing national security over the greater good are hindering global research and economic development.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's (OECD) Science, Technology and Innovation Outlook 2025 report warns that policies designed to protect sensitive research and prevent foreign interference are limiting humanity's ability to address shared challenges – from climate goals to health innovation.

"The challenge is to strike the right balance between security, openness, and innovation," said OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann. He conceded that too little security can expose sensitive research, while too much can stifle innovation and positive collaboration.

"Governments need to design measures that are proportional to the risks, well-targeted, and which enable mutually beneficial collaboration if they are to protect national interests without undermining research quality."

Transformative change requires "ambitious" levels of investment over a long ...