Executive Office of the
President
President's Committee of Advisors on Science and
Technology
Washington, D.C. 20502
Foreword
In 1999, Vice President Gore requested the President's
Committee of Advisors on Science and Technology Policy (PCAST) to prepare a
concise report on ways in which science and technology have contributed to the
U.S. economy and to the well-being of the American people in their daily
lives.
The members of PCAST reviewed the many ways in which far-sighted
investments in research and development activities during the past half-century
have enriched Americans' health, security, environment, and general
quality of life. We discussed the challenges to sustain these R&D
investments—both in the short term and over the long haul—so that the
scientific wellspring will continue to generate prosperity well into the next
century. We also emphasized that the promise of technology's contributions
must be met by developing a skilled and flexible workforce and in fostering
opportunities for education and lifelong learning for all Americans.
This short report examines several areas in which science and
technology have blossomed from wise and balanced investments in research and
development over the past several decades. Only a short time ago, many of the
technological wonders we now take for granted would have been considered
fantasy or science fiction. We note that, in particular, information
technologies, based on much more basic research, have led the way in so many
fields.
We hope the readers of this brief overview will learn from these
success stories and will reflect on the linkage between a wide variety of
interdisciplinary discoveries that now make our economy stronger and our lives
easier and more rewarding. And we hope that Americans will also understand that
we must continue the stream of such investments to ensure that our current
prosperity endures. Our Committee congratulates the Clinton-Gore Administration
for its appreciation of the importance of a strong and well-balanced science
and technology portfolio — and for its hard work and foresight in keeping
the wellspring flowing, allowing us and future generations to build a better
America for the 21st century.
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