Public Policy Concerning the Exchange and Distribution of Scientific Information

Abstract

The new information and communication technologies hold tremendous promise for both carrying out scientific research and disseminating the results. The importance of these technologies to the achievement of economic and military ends may, however, hamper their use for scientific purposes. Similarly, and perhaps of greater significance, the way these technologies are employed in defense and in the private sector may adversely affect the progress of science and seriously constrain the whole realm of scientific activity. Thus conflict over the use of new technologies is likely to give rise to a number of information-related public policy issues, issues on which the scientific community will have to take a stand. Decisions made in this regard will govern the flows of information within and across the borders of the United States, profoundly affecting scientific communication and perhaps even determining the future of U.S. science.