Wayne, I think you are missing a pertinent point.

It is statistically proven that there are more idiots than scientists in any given population centre.

These idiots consume disproportionately vast quantities of a nation's resources and generally either squander them frivolously or direct them into producing even more and bigger idiots.

If you could find a way of ensuring such useless and wasteful portions of a nation's poulation were culled while retaining the intelligent 5 - 10% of a population intact we could solve all the world's problems in one fell swoop! ; )

In his address to the National Press Club today, David Suzuki made the point that Australia has the best or near-best scientific community and quality on a per-capita basis.

Surely it is this per-capita basis that is important, not the total number, especially when procuring a larger number via population growth would mean far more non-contributors to science, society and environmental wellbeing and far bigger problems created by all sorts of increased pressures on our resource base and environment.