Jack Werber - Science Advice to the President

First published 2003 by Transaction Publishers

Published 2017 by Routledge
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Copyright 2003 Taylor and Francis.

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Library of Congress Catalog Number: 92-36149

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Science advice to the president I William T. Golden, editor.
p. cm.
ISBN 978-0-87168-509-4
1. Science and state-United States. 2. Technology and state-United States. 3. Presidents-United States. 1. Golden, William T., 1909-.

Q127.U6S29 1993
338.97306-

92-36149 CIP

ISBN 13: 978-0-87168-509-4 (pbk)

The findings, conclusions, and opinions stated or implied in this publication are those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the Board of Directors, Council, or membership of the American Associarion for rhe Advancement of Science.

MAS Publication: 93-12S International Standard Book Number: 0-87168-509-4 First edition published by Pergamon Books, Inc. 1980 (previously ISBN 0-08-025963-4)

Above all, I express my gratitude to our country which provided shelter and opportunity to my immigrant grandparents, little over 100 years ago, as it has done for countless others.

And I thank my friends who have helped me in preparing this second edition. First, of course, are the authors of the new articles: D. Allan Bromley, John H. Gibbons, and John P. McTague. Notable are my resourceful and devoted assistant Christie Van Kehrberg, and my staff members Ellen Rosenblatt and Eugene Gorman. And invaluable has been the scholarship and judgment of David Z. Beckler, associate director of the Carnegie Commission on Science, Technology, and Government, most experienced of advisers to Science Advisers; William G. Wells, Jr., associate professor of Management Science, School of Business and Public Management, George Washington University, formerly chief of staff to President Bushs Science Adviser, D. Allan Bromley, and adviser to President Clintons transition team; and Dr. J. Thomas Ratchford, professor of International Science and Technology Policy at the George Mason University (with whom I have been happily associated in the American Association for the Advancement of Science and elsewhere), formerly associate director for Policy and International Affairs of the Office of Science and Technology Policy under Dr. Bromley, and now consultant to Dr. Gibbons.

William T. Golden

In founding Technology In Society, the avowed aim of the editors was to illuminate in the pages of this journal timely issues and important interactions in the realm of science, technology, and society. The majority of articles in this field offer useful, albeit sometimes controversial, conclusions on the social implications of a particular scientific development or technology, or both. To identify, much less predict, whatand howevents and attitudes will ultimately affect the course of science and technology through policies and legislation is more difficult to achieve with comparable clarity and accuracy.

As nations increasingly come to regard continued technical development as essential to economic growth and strength, as well as necessary to the improvement of the quality of life, an understanding of the social management of science and technology takes on paramount importance. In the United States, the most visible agency for such decisions has been the Presidential science advisory mechanism in its various forms. Hence, we felt it would be important to present the views of former Presidential Science Advisers as a first step in bringing to the readers of Technology In Society an increasing number of insightful articles on the complex social processes which affect the course of science and technology.

To identify the person who could undertake this task was not difficult. After events during the Second World War had confirmed the vital stake of the US government in the growth of science and scientific institutions, President Truman in 1950 had the wisdom and foresight to ask William T. Golden to become his special consultant to review the governments activities in that area. Goldens efforts led to the creation of a Science Advisory Committee of the Office of Defense Mobilization. As adviser to the Director of the Bureau of the Budget, he played a key role in the organization of the National Science Foundation. In the years since that time, which he has devoted to public service, Golden has worked in a unique way on behalf of people and institutions dedicated to education and research in the sciences. As Guest Editor of this issue, he brings to that post a lifetime of acquaintance with many of those who, within the past 40 years, have played a vital role in the growth of science in America.

We are deeply grateful to Bill Golden for having assumed so willingly, and for having carried out so thoughtfully, the task of creating this issue of Technology In Society. We hope that it will be of considerable value to the large and growing group of people, worldwide, who have to deal with issues of policy in science and technology in their professional lives.

George Bugliarello
A. George Schillinger
The Editors

William T. Golden

Much has changed since the first edition of this book was published in 1980. But the essentials remain the same, intensified by the growing recognition of the increasing influence of science and technology in everyday life.