The Debate over Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone

Published on July 30, 2008 in OTA report cited. byadmin

There’s been a healthy debate in the Ithaca (NY) Journal the past few weeks over a new study published by researchers at Cornell University. The study claims that cows supplemented with recombinant bovine somatotropin (rBST) have less negative environmental impact compared to conventional cows.

The Ithaca Journal wrote an article to coincide with the publication of the study, which appeared in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Since then, there have been several different letters (one available here) published by the paper debating the merits of rBST use in dairy cows. Yesterday, a guest editorial by the lead author of the study appeared that cites this 1991 OTA report, U.S. Dairy Industry at a Crossroad: Biotechnology and Policy Choices.  This report features an extensive examination of the policy issues surrounding rBST use.

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Two videos about OTA discovered

Published on July 29, 2008 in OTA on the net. byadmin

I’ve been doing some browsing through Wikipedia, YouTube and Google Video and have come across two videos about OTA. Both include excellent summaries of OTA’s mission and explain how reports were created. Both also feature cutting edge video and audio effects and plenty of examples of sweet fashion from the 1980s and early 1990s.

Which one is your favorite? Does anyone know who originally posted these videos on Google Video?

OTA on OTA (1983)

Office of Technology Assessment (early 1990s)

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OTA Reports Cited by International Media

Published on July 29, 2008 in OTA report cited. byadmin

OTA reports have been cited in two new articles.

The first appears in Le Devoir, a newspaper published in Montreal, Canada. My French-speaking sources tell me it is about computerized tomography (CT) scans and the debate about whether the technique is being overused. OTA published several reports (see here, here, and here) about CT scans in the 1970s and 80s.

The second comes from a blog based in India, and discusses the environmental consequences of medical waste incineration in residential areas. This 1988 OTA Report, Issues in Medical Waste Management, is listed in the references.

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Paul Semenza Joins DisplaySearch as Senior Vice President

Published on July 29, 2008 in OTA employees in the news. byadmin

Press Release | Marketwatch.com | July 28, 2008

Mr. Semenza served as an analyst for the OTA in the early 1990s. From the press release:

“DisplaySearch, the worldwide leader in display market research and consulting, today announced that it has appointed display industry veteran Paul Semenza as the company’s Senior Vice President managing the North American and European analyst teams.”

Read the entire press release here.

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Weekend wrap-up of OTA Archive coverage

Published on July 28, 2008 in Blogging on OTA, OTA Archive news, OTA in the news and OTA on the net. byadmin

A few more websites have mentioned the OTA Archive-

Total WonKerr

Atomic Archive

TEDBlog

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More posts about OTA and the OTA Archive

Published on July 25, 2008 in Blogging on OTA, OTA Archive news, OTA in the news and OTA on the net. byadmin

A few more blogs have discussed the OTA since our launch Wednesday…

From The Great Beyond, a blog hosted by Nature:

“Washington is full of science-policy wonks who bemoan the loss of the Office of Technology Assessment, which between 1972 and 1995 was the go-to place for smart independent advice for policymakers on science and technology topics. Fortunately, OTA junkies now have an online fix for all their needs.”

From Rhetoric and Rockets:

“Before OTA is reborn I would want to know the following:

  • How, exactly, would a revived OTA would function?
  • How big would it be?
  • Who would participate?
  • More importantly (from my semi-mistrustful point of view) who DECIDES who gets to participate?
  • What would the new OTA charter look like?
  • What steps would be taken to prevent the real or perceived irrelevance of the agency?
  • What provisions will be made to ensure that OTA remains a “lean and mean,” think tank type of organization?
  • In short, what will OTA supporters do to assure budget hawks that the agency deserves to be reborn when there is already a call to decrease the deficit, balance the budget, and eliminate a great deal of waste elsewhere in the federal government?”

Exploring Interdisciplinarity:

“The Agency, which we as staffers labeled “Congress’ Own Think Tank,” had become official in 1972, and was tasked with taking a long-term look at the implications of technology on all aspects of society. By most accounts, we did a phenomenal job.”

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