Policy and Research Issues

Gov't Should Assess Foods Based on Composition, Not Creation

Federal agencies should assess the safety of foods -- whether produced by genetic engineering or by other genetic modification techniques, such as conventional breeding for desirable traits -- on a case-by-case basis to determine whether unintended changes in their composition could adversely affect human health, says a new report from the National Academies' National Research Council and Institute of Medicine.


Unrestricted Public Access to Pathogen Genome Data Should Continue

Current policies that allow scientists and the public unrestricted access to genome data on microbial pathogens should not be changed, says a new report from the National Academies' Board on Life Sciences. Security against bioterrorism is better served by policies that facilitate, not limit, the free flow of this information.


New Booklet Explores Animal Use in Biomedical Research

A new booklet from the National Academies' Institute for Laboratory Animal Research offers teachers and students information about animal use in biomedical research. Topics include the ways animal research can and has been used to combat disease, the regulations and oversight that govern such research, and continuing efforts to use animals more efficiently and humanely.


Report Offers Recommendations to Spur Interdisciplinary Research

While advances in science and engineering increasingly require the collaboration of scholars across fields, interdisciplinary research is impeded at many institutions by policies on hiring, promotion, tenure, and research allocation that favor traditional disciplines, says a new report from the National Academies' Committee on Science, Engineering, and Public Policy. The report urges academic institutions to explore new models that foster and reward interdisciplinary interactions.


Overhaul of "Naturalization Tests" Needs More Work

An interim report examines the federal government's redesign of naturalization tests administered to people seeking US citizenship. The report urges US Citizenship and Immigration Services to create advisory bodies to oversee the effort. USCIS should also create detailed plans for research and test development to ensure that its new tests of English, US history, and government -- which have yet to be implemented nationwide -- are scientifically valid, reliable, and fair. The agency sought the NRC's advice on the project.


Zoo Has Improved Animal Care and Management, But Problems Remain

The Smithsonian Institution's National Zoological Park has made some noticeable improvements in the past year in zoo operations and animal care, but problems in areas such as staff training, workplace culture, and strategic planning still need to be addressed, says a new report from the National Academies' Board on Agriculture and Natural Resources. The final report was issued by a committee that conducted a yearlong review of the zoo at the request of Congress.


Data on Firearms and Violence Too Weak to Settle Policy Debates

Current research and data on firearms, violent crime, and suicide are too weak to support strong conclusions about the effects of various violence-prevention, deterrence, and control measures, says a new report from the National Academies' National Research Council. A comprehensive research program on firearms is needed as a basis for criminal-justice and public health policy.


US Extension of Certain Visas Welcomed

Federal policies must encourage the professional visits of foreign scientists and engineers and the training of highly qualified foreign students if we are to maintain the vitality and quality of America's research enterprise.


NAS President Says UN Statement Against Cloning Research Too Broad

The UN General Assembly approved this week a nonbinding declaration calling upon member states “to prohibit any attempts to create human life through cloning processes and any research to achieve that aim.” The US National Academy of Sciences and other members of the InterAcademy Panel, a worldwide organization of science academies, have stated that a worldwide ban on human reproductive cloning — a technique that attempts to produce a child — is justified. However, the declaration is ambiguous and should not extend to nuclear transfer, also known as "therapeutic cloning," which is very different and enhances the likelihood of attaining medical breakthroughs, says NAS President Bruce Alberts.


Guidelines Recommended for Research Involving Embryonic Stem Cells

To ensure that human embryonic stem cell research is conducted responsibly and in an ethical manner, the National Academies have developed guidelines for such research. The new report says that institutions conducting stem cell research should establish oversight committees to make sure the guidelines will be followed.


Scientific Approach to Radiation Exposure Compensation

Congress should establish new scientific criteria for decisions about awarding federal compensation to people who developed certain cancers or other specific diseases as a result of exposure to radioactive fallout from US nuclear weapons tests, says a new report from the National Research Council. Because fallout from the tests covered a wide geographic area, the new approach should consider people in all parts of the United States and its territories.


Visa System Needs Further Upgrades for US Competitiveness

In recent months, policymakers have made significant improvements to the US visa system, but more changes are needed so that the United States can continue to compete for top talent worldwide and uphold its welcoming tradition, says a joint statement endorsed by the National Academies, Association of American Universities, American Association for the Advancement of Science, and other higher education associations and scientific societies.


High-Quality Grad Students Integral to US Science, Engineering

To maintain America's leadership in science and engineering research, a comprehensive effort is needed to improve the recruitment, education, and training of a cross section of US students for careers in these fields, while at the same time continuing to attract the most talented scholars worldwide, says a new report from the National Academies. These two goals are critical, given increasing global competition for quality graduate students and researchers.


Academies Evaluate Proposals for Ohio Awards Program

The state of Ohio announced seven top research proposals to receive grants aimed at commercializing innovations in areas such as information technology, power and propulsion, advanced materials, electronics, and biotechnology. It is the fourth consecutive year that the National Academies have aided the selection process by reviewing how well the proposals met the state's competition criteria.


National Academies IPR e-Newsletter

IPR-NEWS is a quarterly e-newsletter featuring information on intellectual property rights-related events, reports, and projects at the National Academies. Previous issues and subscription information are posted at the accompanying link.


Animal Health System Fragmented, Better Coordination Needed

The US needs to better coordinate the currently fragmented framework for confronting new and emerging animal-borne diseases like mad cow disease, avian flu, and West Nile virus, says a new report from the National Research Council. In a related study, the Research Council also cites the growing shortage of veterinary research scientists as a major weakness in the effort to ensure animal as well as public health.


NAE President Testifies before US House of Representatives

At a congressional hearing on "Sources and Methods of Foreign Nationals Engaged in Economic and Military Espionage," National Academy of Engineering President Wm. A. Wulf urged members to remember "the important contributions foreign-born scholars, scientists, and engineers have made and continue to make" toward the success and security of the United States.


Keck Genomics Conference Spurs Research, Rewards Science Communication

Top researchers gathered in early November at the 3rd annual National Academies Keck Futures Initiative conference to discuss interdisciplinary approaches for applying genomics to the treatment and control of infectious disease. In addition, the 2005 Keck Futures Communication Awards winners -- John M. Barry, writer of "The Great Influenza"; Gareth Cook, science reporter for The Boston Globe; and Thomas Levenson, producer of NOVA’s "Origins: Back to the Beginning" -- were honored during the conference. The Initiative features national and regional conferences that focus on a different interdisciplinary theme each year; previous conferences have addressed "Designing Nanostructures at the Interface Between Biomedical and Physical Systems" (2004) and "Signals, Decisions, and Meaning in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Engineering" (2003). The Initiative is funded by a grant from the W.M. Keck Foundation.


Balance Needed Between IP Rights and Research Needs

Intellectual property restrictions rarely impose burdens on genomic and proteomic research, but there are reasons to be apprehensive about their future impact on advances in this field, says a new report from the National Research Council. Policymakers should take steps to prevent the increasingly complex web of intellectual property protections from getting in the way of potential biomedical breakthroughs.


Scientists Must Help Prevent Misuse of Science and Technology

Biotechnology research has fueled great gains for health and the environment, but some of the underlying technology and knowledge also could be used to create biological weapons. In a new statement, the US National Academy of Sciences and 67 fellow members of the global InterAcademy Panel offer researchers principles of professional conduct to address "dual use" issues. Scientists have an obligation to do no harm, and should take appropriate individual and institutional steps toward that end, the statement says.


Global Effort Needed to Combat Misuse of Biomedical Advances

Vigilance among the world's scientists, an expanded view of bioterrorism threats, and a stronger public health infrastructure are needed to reduce the growing risk that new advances in the life sciences and related technologies will be used to create novel biological weapons or misused by careless individuals, says a new report from the National Research Council and Institute of Medicine.


Overcoming Challenges in Transporting Research Animals

An interagency group should be established to coordinate the complex patchwork of federal regulations governing the transport of laboratory animals, says a new National Research Council report. Steps also should be taken to ensure the availability of safe, reliable air and ground shipment for research animals. The report offers science-based guidelines for humane transportation.


USDA Should Improve Methods for Gauging Food Insecurity

The US Department of Agriculture has conducted extensive research on hunger and food insecurity in America, but the department needs to improve how this work is carried out to better inform policymakers and the public, says a new report from the National Research Council.


$1 Million Awarded to Genomics Research Projects

The National Academies Keck Futures Initiative announced the recipients of its 2005 grants for interdisciplinary research on genomics and infectious disease. Projects that were awarded funding address research areas such as malaria, monkeypox, Crohn's disease, and rapid microbial diagnostics. The winners attended a conference last November that explored new methods to identify, diagnose, and treat infectious disease using biotechnology and genomics. A conference summary is available (see accompanying link).


NAS Council Opposes Academic Boycotts

The governing council of the National Academy of Sciences opposes academic boycotts, firmly believing that scientists provide a voice for rationality and moderation in political affairs. A boycott of Israeli academics announced yesterday by Britain's largest faculty union would undermine the crucial long-term goal of building strong bridges of understanding between cultures.


Science Academies Issue Statements on Infectious Diseases, Energy

The US National Academy of Sciences joined 11 other national science academies in calling on world leaders, particularly those of the G-8 countries meeting in July in Russia, to tackle the problems of avian influenza and other infectious diseases through cooperative, global strategies. The academies also urged leaders to jointly implement policies for improving the efficient use of energy and achieving sustainable, reliable, and environmentally acceptable energy supplies for all nations.


Facing Hazards and Disasters: Understanding Human Dimensions

As evidenced by Hurricane Katrina, the Indian Ocean tsunami, the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States, and other recent events, our understanding of, and response to, hazards and disasters could be greatly improved. For example, research is needed to understand how the characteristics of different types of events--including predictability, forewarning, magnitude, and duration of impact--affect societal vulnerability and response. This report includes over 30 recommendations for research to advance knowledge about mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery related to disasters (including terrorist acts) that have catastrophic physical and social impacts.


More Oversight Needed for Research Involving Prisoners

More comprehensive safeguards and oversight measures are needed to ensure that the participation of prisoners in scientific research meets the highest ethical standards and aims to improve the well-being of prisoners, says a new report from the Institute of Medicine.


Census Bureau Should Improve 'Residence Rules'

Rules used in the 2000 census to help people identify their "usual residence" were too complicated, says a new National Research Council report. Core principles to determine residency should be developed for the 2010 census, the report says, and the Census Bureau should improve how it communicates them to respondents. The bureau also should study ways to collect data on individuals' ties to other locales and dwellings.


Effort Needed to Maximize Potential of Women in Academic S&T

Eliminating gender bias in universities requires immediate overarching reform, as well as decisive action by university administrators, professional societies, government agencies, and Congress, says a new report from the National Academies. Women face barriers to hiring and promotion in research universities in many fields of science and engineering -- a situation that deprives the United States of an important source of talent.


Academies Hold Summit to Encourage US Competitiveness

About 800 policymakers, educators, business leaders, and researchers from across the country attended a National Academies event in Washington to encourage bold leadership on initiatives to strengthen US competitiveness. They identified actions that state and local officials can take within the next six months to foster job growth, improve education, and enhance the environment for innovation. In addition to the presidents of the National Academies of Sciences and Engineering, speakers included senators Jeff Bingaman, Kay Bailey Hutchison, and Lamar Alexander, Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao, and corporate and academic leaders. You can listen to the convocation at the accompanying link.


Federal Nanotechnology Initiative Successful, But More Research Needed

The National Nanotechnology Initiative -- a federal program created in 2000 to coordinate nanotechnology R&D efforts by several government agencies -- is successfully generating new technologies and fostering innovative interdisciplinary research, says a new National Research Council report. But the initiative's impact on the US economy is still unknown, and research on nanotechnology's possible effects on humans and the environment has been limited and inconclusive.


More Data Needed on Firearms and Violence

Recent school shootings have raised questions about whether teens' access to guns can be curbed, why adult rampages happen, and why efforts to prevent school violence sometimes fail. However, many of these issues cannot be tackled with existing data. More comprehensive research is needed to investigate theories about the scope and nature of lethal school violence, and to pinpoint factors that can lead to better prevention policies and programs.


Smart Prosthetics Conference Spurs Research

Top researchers gathered at the fourth annual National Academies Keck Futures Initiative conference to discuss smart prosthetics and other assistive devices. To encourage further work in this field, the Academies announced the availability of $1 million in seed grants that will be awarded on a competitive basis to conference participants.


New Booklet Provides Basics on Stem Cell Research

A new educational booklet from the National Academies provides a basic overview of the scientific and ethical issues surrounding stem cell research. It is designed to help students, policymakers, news media, and the general public better understand the study of stem cells and their potential for treating disease. The booklet cites previous National Academies reports but does not contain new findings or recommendations.


US Should Support Study of Rare Isotopes

To remain globally competitive in nuclear physics, the United States should be involved in international research efforts to study atomic nuclei called rare isotopes, says a new National Research Council report. The US could build a dedicated facility that could lead not only to advances in physics and astrophysics but also to applications in medicine, national security, energy production, and industrial processes.


Maxine F. Singer to Receive Public Welfare Medal

The National Academy of Sciences has selected Maxine F. Singer, president emerita of the Carnegie Institution of Washington, to receive the Public Welfare Medal, its most prestigious award. Singer will receive the award for providing inspired and effective leadership in matters of science and its relationship to education and public policy.


Amendments to Guidelines for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research

In 2005, the National Academies released "Guidelines for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research," offering a set of ethical standards for a field that, due to the absence of comprehensive federal funding, lacked national standards for research. In order to keep the Guidelines up to date, given the rapid pace of scientific developments in the field of stem cell research, the Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research Advisory Committee was established in 2006 with support from the Ellison Medical Foundation, the Greenwall Foundation, and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. The committee has now released a letter report with its first set of amendments to the Guidelines. The report also clarifies earlier recommendations and conclusions, including the criteria for determining which stem cell lines it is acceptable to use.


Method Holds Promise and Pitfalls

When confidential information about research participants -- e.g., the locations of their homes or workplaces -- and spatial data are linked, the risk of participants' identities becoming known to others increases, yet such linked data make important new research possible. A new report from the National Research Council suggests mechanisms that can allow this kind of research to expand while protecting confidentiality.


Metagenomics 'Will Transform Modern Microbiology'

The new science of metagenomics, where the DNA of entire communities of microbes -- most of them previously unknown -- is studied simultaneously, promises to revolutionize understanding of the microbial world, says a new National Research Council report. It calls for a Global Metagenomics Initiative to drive advances in the field.


Over $1 Million Awarded to Smart Prosthetics Research Projects

The National Academies Keck Futures Initiative announced the recipients of its 2006 grants, up to $75,000 each, to promote innovative interdisciplinary research on smart prosthetics. The competitive seed grants aim to fill a critical gap for research on bold new ideas. The winners attended a conference held last November where they explored new interdisciplinary responses to developing smart assistive devices.


Better Data Could Aid Relief and Development Efforts Worldwide

Reliable data on the demographics and locations of populations can bolster humanitarian relief efforts and subsequent recovery programs. National governments and relief organizations should value this kind of information and train relevant practitioners in their own countries to successfully apply it in times of crisis and in any development planning, says a new report from the National Research Council.


Nation Needs to Focus on Plasma Science

The US Department of Energy’s Office of Science should reorient its research programs to promote plasma science research and create a focal point for federal efforts in that field, says a new report from the National Research Council. Breakthroughs in plasma science have the potential to enhance national and economic security, energy production, and general scientific knowledge.


National Land Parcel Data: A Vision for the Future

Land parcel data (also known as cadastral data) provides geographically-referenced information about the rights, interests, and ownership of land and are an important part of the financial, legal and real estate systems of society. The data are used by governments to make decisions about land development, business activities, regulatory compliance, emergency response, and law enforcement. In 1980, a National Research Council report called for nationally-integrated land parcel data, but despite major progress in development of land parcel databases in many local jurisdictions, little progress has been made towards a national system. Therefore, this National Research Council report was sponsored by the Bureau of Land Management, the Census Bureau, the Federal Geographic Data Committee, the Department of Homeland Security, and Environmental Systems Research Institute, to look at the current status of land parcel data in the United States. This report concludes that nationally-integrated land parcel data is necessary, feasible, and affordable, and provides recommendations for establishing a practical framework for sustained intergovernmental coordination and funding required to overcome the remaining challenges and move forward.


NAS President Delivers Speech on Energy

In his annual address to members of the Academy on April 28th, NAS President Ralph Cicerone said "we must change the trajectories of our energy usage and energy sources." Calling energy a pervasive issue, Cicerone added, "a great deal of innovative and determined work is needed by scientists and engineers in the years ahead" to meet energy challenges.


An Assessment of Small Business Innovation Research Program at the Department of Energy

Entrepreneurs in the United States see opportunities and are willing and able to take on risk to bring new welfare-enhancing, wealth-generating technologies to the market. Yet, while innovation in areas such as genomics, bioinformatics, and nanotechnology present new opportunities, converting these ideas into innovations for the market involves substantial challenges.

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New York City to Implement New Poverty Measure

Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York City has announced the implementation of an alternative to the current poverty measure. It will be the first time any local government has reformulated the nation's 40-year-old standard for determining poverty levels, which is based primarily on food expenditures. The initiative is based on recommendations from the National Research Council report Measuring Poverty: A New Approach, released in 1995. The report recommends revising the poverty measure and poverty thresholds to take into account a variety of factors that are not currently accounted for. The New York City measure closely follows the recommendations in the Research Council's report.

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U.S. Participation in International Fusion Research Needs Stable Funding

To date, U.S. plans for participation in the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project have been effective and well thought out, says a new National Research Council report. However, funding uncertainties cast doubt on U.S. commitment to this international collaboration. Stable U.S. funding is needed to effectively plan for participation in ITER, to benefit from coming fusion energy research, and to take part in future international scientific collaborations.

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Academies Offer Advice to Presidential Candidates on S&T Appointments

A new report from the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, and Institute of Medicine offers guidance to John McCain and Barack Obama on making key science and technology appointments in the federal government after the election. The report lists approximately 80 high-level S&T appointees who will be crucial in advising the new president on issues that range from energy to economic growth.

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Strengthening Research on Housing and Urban Policy

Although most U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development research is useful and of high quality, declining resources have greatly reduced the agency’s capacity, leaving policymakers and the public ill-informed about critical policy issues, says a new congressionally mandated report from the National Research Council. With more funding from Congress, HUD should implement a forward-looking research program that focuses on current and emerging housing and urban issues.

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New Resource on Research Integrity and Scientific Misconduct

Committed to protecting the integrity of science, AAAS, in collaboration with the National Academies, has established a Web site on scientific misconduct and research integrity. Subjects covered include conflicts of interest, plagiarism, use of research animals, and protecting human subjects, among others. The site is intended as a resource for students, researchers, administrators, and policymakers. It highlights upcoming events and recent literature, links to podcasts and other online resources, and more.

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Complex Systems Conference Spurs Research

Top researchers gathered at the sixth annual National Academies Keck Futures Initiative conference, held to discuss new approaches to researching complex systems such as ecosystems, financial markets, communication networks, and biology. To encourage research in this area, the Academies announced the availability of $1 million in seed grants that will be awarded on a competitive basis to conference participants.

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President-Elect Obama Receives Advice on Filling S&T Posts

As President-elect Barack Obama prepares to take the helm, he should use the best available science and scientists to help manage the nation’s current and future issues, such as climate change, alternative energy, veterans' health, and the nation's infrastructure, advises a recent report from the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, and Institute of Medicine.

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For additional information visit The National Academies Subject page.