Views on science advice for the US government

Abstract

The US science advisory apparatus has evolved from 1863 to the present, with elements in the executive and legislative branches of the government. Nongovernmental organizations such as the NRC of the NAS-NAE play a crucial role, as do citizen-supported groups such as the NRDC, the FAS, and the UCS. No one is more in need of advice on science and technology than the President of the United States, who has over the last 40 years had the best mechanism for science advice and at times no mechanism for science advice. The single most effective step to improve the effectiveness and the value of the US government in the service of the citizenry would be the requirement, by presidential order and example or by request of the Congress, that each budget or program element presented for funding must have an explanation (not propaganda) consisting of at least two competitive analyses. Lack of such denies the presidency itself (and the various departments) knowledge of alternatives and even prevents recognition of the most serious problems of population growth, environmental destruction, dangers of nuclear war, and the growing irrelevancy of government to all but the office holders. In the words of Richard Feynman, “… reality must take precedence over public relations, for nature cannot be fooled.”