Office of Technology Assessment, United States Congress, science, technology, policy
Bloggie Doggie Blog | June 27, 2008
The author discusses methods of communication in schools and considers how people might communicate in the future. In the post, this 1990 OTA report, Critical Connections: Communication for the Future, is mentioned.
Livescience.com, recently cross-posted by the Tehran Times and Gaia Spirit Blog
This article, part of the Life’s Little Mysteries section of livescience.com, describes the hazards of natural disasters. This was apparently written in July of 2007 and has just recently been posted by others (perhaps people interested in the recent floods in the U.S. Midwest). In the article, this 1993 OTA report, Preparing for an Uncertain Climate- Volume 1, is cited and quoted as follows, “despite recent efforts, vulnerability to flood damages is likely to continue to grow”.
By Ketan Desai | http://seekingalpha.com | June 17, 2008
Dr. Desai provides some medical information about anthrax and then lists the leading treatment options for an anthrax infection. In the second part of the article, he gives some financial information about the major biotech companies involved in anthrax countermeasure development. In his description of the anthrax threat, he quotes from this 1993 OTA report, “Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction” that says, “(OTA) estimated that 130,000 to 3 million deaths could occur following the release of 100 kilograms of aerosolized anthrax over Washington, DC.”
While this quote is accurate, it is important to keep in mind the caveat that this type of attack would involve “single airplane-loads of…biological weapons, assuming a highly efficient line-source delivery” and that “fatalities could vary greatly under three different weather scenarios”.
By Kristin Shrader-Frechette | America: The National Catholic Weekly | June 23, 2008
The author, a professor at The University of Notre Dame, gives five reasons why the U.S. shouldn’t expand the use of nuclear power in this country to meet growing energy demand. One of the myths she confronts is that “Nuclear Energy will not Increase Weapons Proliferation”, and she supports her claims with this 1977 OTA report and this 1993 report.
By Richard F. Lockey | Tampa Tribune | June 14, 2008
Dr. Lockey, a professor at the University of South Florida, explains the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) drug approval process, focusing particularly on the allergy drug Singulair. This 1993 OTA report on pharmaceutical research and development describes the length of time involved and success rate of drug development in the U.S.
By Wei Ma | EDTEC Pavilion Blog | June 8, 2008
The author reviews trends in the use of technology for educational purposes from the 1980’s to the mid-2000’s. The 1988 OTA report, Power On! New Tools for Teaching and Learning, is cited as one of the most influential education policy reports of the time period.