*Federation of American Scientists: "Flying Blind: The Rise, Fall, and Possible Resurrection of Science Policy Advice in the United States"

[PDF] The need for effective science and technology advice continues to increase
while the infrastructure for providing such help is in a state of
crisis. The President and the Congress are constantly confronted with
decisions about new medical technologies, advanced weapon systems, wireless
communication regulation, and other matters that hinge on technical facts.
While technical analysis is almost never sufficient to make wise choices, absent
competent, timely, targeted scientific and technical analysis, these decisions will
depend on unchallenged assertions by special interests and ideologues. Programs
are likely to be poorly designed and subject to costly mistakes. Even worse, lacking
competent advice, the nation may fail to act on problems until they are costly
and difficult to solve or fail to seize important opportunities to achieve public
objectives in security, education, health care, the environment, or other critical
areas.
This report develops options for improving the fundamental structures of
science and technology advice based on examination of two cases where science
and technology advice did not serve the nation well, interviews with many of
the key figures in science and technology advice for Congress and the administration,
and a review of recent literature.
Is Anyone Listening?
The strongest and most consistent statement emerging from these sources is
that if the Congress or the President doesn’t want objective scientific advice, no
institutional solution can fix the problem. There is no way to force the President
to meet with science advisors or to force Congress to base legislation on careful
scientific analysis. This report is designed to help a new administration
or a new Congress interested in strengthening science and technology support
to craft effective institutions. The recommendations are built with the clear
understanding that technical advice must be combined with many other issues
in shaping practical and effective policy. But the core assumption is that the
principals involved are anxious to at least get the advice of technical experts
before making a decision.
The proposals all assume that one goal of the reforms will be to create institutions
that can endure and be effective through radical changes in national political
priorities. Many of the options are designed to contribute to public debate
and public understanding of technical issues making it more difficult for
political leaders to ignore the issues.