Science, Technology, and Politics: Policy Analysis in Congress by Gary Bryner

Author:Gary Bryner [Bryner, Gary]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Political Science, General
ISBN: 9781000310900
Google: p02fDwAAQBAJ
Goodreads: 52777985
Publisher: Routledge
Published: 2019-06-21T00:00:00+00:00

The reports of the General Accounting Office have not generated the same public visibility that the Office of Technology Assessment studies have garnered. However, GAO studies on biotechnology are frequently cited within the policy arena (see, for example, U.S. Congress, House 1986a). The GAO has provided numerous reports on agricultural biotechnology related issues and is currently in the process of investigating the FDA’s review of bovine somatotropin in the wake of alleged procedural improprieties (Schneider 1990, 21). Since GAO reports are often prepared at the request of committee and subcommittee chairs and members, the topics of the report give a good idea of issues thought to be important in the policy arena. Table 8.2 identifies relevant GAO reports.

The Congressional Research Service has been involved in the study of biotechnology related matters for almost two decades. Its first report on genetic engineering was published in 1972 by the Science Policy Research Division. Since then, the CRS has prepared a number of reports on historical, legal, and policy aspects of genetic engineering and biotechnology. Many of these reports have been subsequently bound and made widely available. Because CRS reports are done specifically at the request of committees and members of Congress, these bound reports are published under the auspices of the committees. In the case of biotechnology reports, they have been most often published by the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee.

In addition to responding to individual member and committee inquiries, in recent years the CRS has embarked on preparing and making widely available general reports on popular issues (Vogler 1988, 232–233). For example, in the midst of the animal patent controversy, the CRS prepared an issue brief entitled, “Patenting Life” (Taylor 1988), which outlined the history of recombinant DNA research and commercialization, discussed patent issues and relevant legislative action, and provided a list of suggested readings. A more ambitious project was “Biotechnology: A Public Policy Primer” (1989) which summarized the complex regulatory structure relating to biotechnology. Table 8.3 provides examples of Congressional Research Service reports on biotechnology and associated issues.

Table 8.3 Congressional Research Service Reports Relating to Biotechnology

Genetic Engineering: Evolution of a Technological Issue (1972)

Genetic Engineering: Evolution of a Technological Issue (1974)

Genetic Engineering, Human Genetic, and Cell Biology: Evolution of Technological Issues, DNA Recombinant Molecule Research (1976)

Genetic Engineering, Human Genetics, and Cell Biology: Evolution of Technological Issues, Biotechnology (1980)

Recent Advances in the Plant Sciences: Applications to Agriculture and Agricultural Products (1984)

Patenting Life: Issue Brief (1988)

Biotechnology: A Public Policy Primer (1989)

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