After several months of controversy about claims that the Bush administration has politicized the makeup of science advisory panels to reflect the administration’s policies, the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) has issued a report with recommendations that would ensure the president and federal agencies receive unbiased and complete science and technology advice. The report, the third academy study since 1992 on the role of science advisers in the federal government, focuses on two topics: the appointment process for the top S&T posts, including science adviser to the president; and the selection process used to appoint individuals to federal S&T advisory panels.
“Despite the tremendous opportunities provided by public service, there are administrative and procedural obstacles to recruiting the best and brightest into top S&T posts,” the NAS report says. “With regard to appointing scientists and engineers to federal advisory committees, charges have surfaced recently that the process of making these...
