① Today, most scientific research is funded by government grants, companies doing research and development, and non-profit foundations. As a society, we reap the rewards from this science, but we also help pay for it. You indirectly support science through taxes you pay, products and services you purchase, and donations you make.

② Funding for science has changed with the times. Historically, science has been largely supported through private patronage (资助), church sponsorship, or simply paying for the research yourself. Today, researchers are likely to be funded by a mix of grants from various government  agencies,  institutions,  and  foundations.  Other  research  is  funded  by  private companies. Such corporate sponsorship is widespread in some fields. Almost 75% of U.S. clinical trials in medicine are paid for by private companies. And, of course, some researchers today still fund small-scale studies out of their own pockets. Most of us can’t afford to do nuclear research as a private hobby, but birdwatchers, rock collectors, and others can do real research on a limited budget.

③ In a perfect world, money wouldn’t matter — all scientific studies would be completely objective. But in the real world, funding may introduce biases. Drug research sponsored by the pharmaceutical  ( 制 药 的 )  industry  is  more  likely  to  end  up  favoring  the  drug  under consideration  than  studies  sponsored  by  government  grants  or  charitable  organizations. Similarly, nutrition research sponsored by the food industry is more likely to end up favoring the food under consideration than independently funded research.

1. 1. What does the passage mainly discuss regarding scientific research?（主旨大意）

A    Its foundation.

B    Its rewards.

C    Its prospect.

D    Its funding.