what does privatization have to do with this? One of the worst abuses of the system (in my opinion) is the IRTA program. This is uncynically called the "post-bac" program among the IRTAs of the NIH, to the cynic it's exactly what it sounds like - it's a postdoc, except even less paid - its unintended consequence is as a dumping ground for undergrads unsure of what they want to do and spending a few years in lab purgatory before committing to grad school, because they have sunk the sunk cost of a couple of years in 'academic' research. The lucky ones go to med school instead.

This program is run by the NIH (not privatized in any way), almost assuredly created with the best of intentions (let's give students a chance to try out science so they can learn to love it, choose it, and increase our national stature!).