David on Neutrality of NAS, PSAC

Abstract

The two most significant conduits through which scientific advice is channeled to government are the National Academy of Sciences (NAS)and the President's Science Advisory Committee (PSAC). The neutrality of these two bodies has on occasion been called into question by their critics, but seldom from within. In a philosophic but candid interview published in a recent issue of Mosaic, house organ of the National Science Foundation, Edward E. David, the President's science adviser and chairman of PSAC, suggests that the Academy and PSAC may behindered by their government links from offering scientific advice in an unbiased and credible way.