And who said there was no need for caps lock?
We could get into a back and forth of yelling, but you are also it seems 100% wrong. Government funding underlies the vast majority of advances in basic science understanding, what you referred to as lower-level theory, that then is utilized by drug companies to direct their new drug development. A good example is the relatively recent isolation of the Angiotensin II receptor, which in turn is leading to drug development. The basic science and years of research underpinning that discovery is not a byproduct of private investment. Lower-level theory is not lower at all, and is of no less value or less important to the person who is at the receiving end of this entire system; the patient.
The FDA doesn't allow new molecules out very often because most of them are useless, harmful, or redundant. I think that their standards for redundancy should be tightened. Low hanging fruit have not all been taken, its just that pharma doesn't invest enough in basic research because they're trying to pick all the low-hanging fruit from other people's work.
Going back to my original reply; I objected to the unquestioned acceptance of the value of private research. I would also object to the unquestioned acceptance of government research as being inherently valuable. While I think it is fairly clear that I believe that the government funded research gives far more value per dollar for society as a whole, it doesn't mean that I will blindly accept either form as the right one. I asked for references to backup stats that reinforce what I believe, rather than just run with it as a bludgeon against your argument.
game recognize game, son.