Government
NSF briefs R&D execs on science policy Day-long session detailed new Science and Technology Office, other programs, provided forum for exchange of views In the spirit of the new "democracy" the Nixon Administration claims it wants to establish between itself and the nation's industrial-academic R&D community, top National Science Foundation officials late last month held a rap session of sorts with about 25 invited industrial R&D executives. The topic: science and technology policy. Although some of what Presidential science adviser and NSF director H. Guyford Stever and other NSF officials had to say is generally known, a few nuggets were unveiled. To wit: some details on the who, what, and how of NSF's new Science and Technology Policy Office (STPO), an assessment of what the Government will support in civilian sector R&D, and details of the quiet establishment of an industrial R&D panel by NSF. Unlike an earlier meeting between NSF officials and the presidents and other officials of scientific and technical professional organizations such as the American Chemical Society, the session with the industrialists was open to public and press. Dr. Stever led off the session by explaining NSF's and his new status in the federal science apparatus (C&EN, Feb. 5, page 10). He discussed the nation's R&D situation—albeit in very general terms—but left out for "reasons of time" any assessment of the nation's energy R&D effort. And he noted that the President a few weeks earlier had voiced a strong commitment to R&D and had indicated areas for emphasis (C&EN, Oct. 22, page 10). Next, Dr. Russell C. Drew, director of STPO—which is to provide advice and counsel to Dr. Stever when he plays the role of science adviser—outlined STPO activities. STPO, like its predecessor the White House Office of Science and Technology, will not manage R&D programs. A major difference between OST and STPO is that OST had military-related responsibilities. Indeed, four or five of the OST staff were working on military-related activities, he said, noting
that STPO will not perform that function. Even so, STPO is establishing liaison with the Department of Defense and the National Security Council. While STPO will not be in a position to initiate activities such as weapons studies, "We will have the potential to be involved," Dr. Drew said. He noted that one STPO staffer—Dr. Hylan B. Lyon, Jr., a senior policy analyst—has been assigned this area as well as to the U.S.-U.S.S.R. and other international cooperative R&D programs. Other problem-oriented areas garnering STPO staff and attention, Dr. Drew said, include: • The Federal Council for Science and Technology, conflict of interest, and productivity. Daniel V. DeSimone, "executive secretary" of FCST, is assigned to this area (and will vacate the post about Jan. 1). • Intergovernmental science and technology and technology utilization. The policy analyst is Thomas C. Wellington. • Social sciences and urban problems. The policy analyst is Dr. Ernest F. Powers. • World food and agricultural productivity. A senior policy analyst is to be named about Dec. 1. • Stimulation of industrial R&D. James E. Carpenter is the policy analyst. • Modeling and forecasting, patents and standards. Dr. C. Wade Blackman will be the policy analyst beginning Dec. 1. Dr. Drew added that STPO also is organized for conducting discipline-oriented activities. Specific areas that will get priority attention include: • Health of science and development of scientific manpower. These areas will be the responsibility of the STPO deputy director—to be named about Dec. 1—and of a policy analyst to be named by Jan. 1. • Materials sciences. Dr. Victor Radcliffe, a senior policy analyst, is to be on board STPO in January 1974. • Earth, atmospheric, and ocean sciences. Dr. F. Gilman Blake is the senior policy analyst. • Life sciences. Dr. Edward J. Burger, Jr., is the senior policy analyst. A policy analyst slot is to be filled about Dec. 1. Perhaps the most candid comments on an NSF program were by C. Branson Smith, director of NSF's Office of Experimental R&D Incentives. Mr. Smith noted that press references to the "impotency of the $630 million
[NSF budget] does have meaning" in that to attempt to make up for R&D budget cuts by other federal agencies "just doesn't cut the ice." Hence, the incentives program, among other things, is an effort to explore federal actions, other than funding, that would have an effect of stimulating research. Mr. Smith outlined four experiments that have been publicly announced. One experiment examines the use of federal laboratories for concept and performance verification of inventions. Another is a cooperative R&D experiment in which university expertise is brought to bear on the problems of an industry that usually doesn't conduct R&D. A third examines educational preparation as an incentive to deal with the problems faced by individuals and small R&D firms when they attempt to get into manufacturing. The fourth experiment examines a system to accelerate transfer of science and technology into municipal services. Mr. Smith unveiled, but said little about, a new "medical instrumentation experiment" which, among other things, will use Veterans Administration hospitals for clinical validation of instrumentation and "biomedical engineering." Mr. Smith noted that in the civil sector, the Government is not going to take the approach of the Pentagon or National Aeronautics and Space Administration in the picking of a specific performer to do something. In areas where industry's R&D investment is recoverable—as it is for most civil products—the only thing the Government might do is remove unintended restraints. Where the fruits of the R&D effort bear social benefits but the costs of the R&D to industry are nonrecoverable, Mr. Smith said, it's recognized that the Government must fund these programs fully. Examples include basic research; national defense, resource preservation, image building; and economic and social activities rendered nonrecoverable by government action such as transportation and public utilities. William L. Stewart, head of NSF's R&D economic studies section, disclosed that NSF is setting up an industrial R&D panel. The panel will not only provide NSF with a quick response "sounding board for trial balloons," but also will provide an "opportunity for industry to let its viewpoint be known on issues of science policy and to give industry a direct input" to government policy. Questions Nov. 12, 1973 C&EN
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SCIENCE
ΛΗΙΜ« - on TAPE from C&EN r•
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Vitamin B-12—Total Synthesis Listen to Dr. R. B. Woodward's first for mal description of this dramatic work— presented at Wesleyan University.
Π Vitamin B-12—Biological Aspects International experts discuss biochem istry, biosynthesis, and mechanism of action
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