The Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) was a government agency created in 1972 to provide Congress with objective analysis of complex science and technology issues. However, it was defunded in 1995. The document argues that resuscitating the OTA would help address current problems like the politicization of science and the influence of corporate interests. Reinstating the OTA could help ensure policymakers have access to unbiased information and expand the range of policy options. Doing so would cost less than $50 million annually and help restore integrity to the scientific process.

1. By Rick edenkrans Lai 531 spring 2010 Resuscitating the Office of Technology Assessment

2. Foreword 2 Edenkrans-Resuscitate the OTA-LAI 531

3. What is the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA)? Edenkrans-Resuscitate the OTA-LAI 531 3 An office of the Congress Created in 1972 To provide: “Unbiased information concerning the physical, biological, economic, social, and political effects” of technological applications

5. The General Accounting Office (GAO)

8. Global security

9. Medicine

12. Democrats—Generally distrust science by industry(Unless it supports their position!)

13. Benefits of OTA Edenkrans-Resuscitate the OTA-LAI 531 9 Would process and report on science produced by industry, government, and universities Provide policymakers with unbiased and non-partisan options Assist policymakers by eliminating inaccurate science reporting

14. Controlling and Censoring Science Edenkrans-Resuscitate the OTA-LAI 531 10 Chris Mooney: The Republican War on Science Mark Bowen: Censoring Science: Inside the Political Attack on Dr. James Hansen and the Truth of Global Warming Making the President and his policies “look bad”

15. Neutering Regulatory Agencies Edenkrans-Resuscitate the OTA-LAI 531 11 The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

16. Shelby Amendment Edenkrans-Resuscitate the OTA-LAI 531 12 Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL) Inserted in 920-page appropriations bill for FY 1999 Federal agencies must make their data available Restricting research data sharing requirements of corporations

17. The Data Quality Act (DQA) Edenkrans-Resuscitate the OTA-LAI 531 13 Representative Jo Ann Emerson (R-MO) Rider in 712-page Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act FY 2000 By request from Jim Tozzi—Reagan Administration and Big Tobacco consultant Mr. Tozzi—of CRE, a for-profit policy shop in the product defense industry

18. The DQA cont. Edenkrans-Resuscitate the OTA-LAI 531 14 Authorizes Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to develop guidelines for “ensuring and maximizing the quality, objectivity, utility and integrity of information”. Goes on to say, “…affected persons are granted the right to challenge and request correction of information disseminated by a federal agency that is not in compliance with those guidelines”. Gives industry influence over regulatory process and slows regulation of unsafe practices

20. Uncertainty

21. Time

24. Conduct media PR campaigns

25. Fund industry lobby groups

27. Conclusion Edenkrans-Resuscitate the OTA-LAI 531 19 Science has to be non-partisan and free from bias and coercion Individuals, corporations and policymakers have to have at least one reliable source of science information The government has to fund an agency that do these things The OTA is a good candidate

29. Senators

31. Bimber, B. The Politics of Expertise in Congress: The Rise and Fall of the Office of Technology Assessment. State University of New York Press. ISBN-13: 978-0791430590. 1996

32. Pielke Jr., Roger A. The Honest Broker. Cambridge University Press, The Edinburgh Building, Cambridge CB2 8RU, UK. ISBN 978-0-521-69481-0. 2009

33. Bowen, M. Censoring Science: Inside the political attack on Dr. .James Hansen and the truth of global warming. The Penguin Group. 375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014. ISBN 978-0-452-28962-8. 2008

34. Mooney, C. The Republican War On Science. Basic Books. ISBN 978-0465046751. 2005http://www.princeton.edu/~ota/disk1/1996/9603/9603.PDF Retrieved 04/10/2010 http://www.princeton.edu/~ota/ns20/topic_f.html Retrieved 04/10/2010

35. References cont. Edenkrans-Resuscitate the OTA-LAI 531 22 http://www.princeton.edu/~ota/disk1/1996/9603/9603.PDF Retrieved 04/10/2010 The Union of Concerned Scientists website: http://www.ucsusa.org/scientific_integrity/solutions/big_picture_solutions/restoring-the-ota.html