Office of Technology Assessment, United States Congress, science, technology, policy
The Bad Idea Blog | June 15, 2008
The author discusses specific policy issues that might unite skeptics. Before launching into an extended discussion of education policy, he puts in a endorsement of the OTA, “I think most of us could, for instance, get behind a proposal to bring back the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA), which used to helpfully advise Congress on all sorts of complex scientific issues that Congressman and their staffs, rarely have much depth of knowledge about.”
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.
By Doctor 3.0 | Doctor 3.0 blog | May 29, 2008
The author praises OTA for being “clearly ahead of their time”. A 1977 OTA report is cited about the use of information technology in medicine.
By Science Cheerleader | www.sciencecheerleader.com blog | May 20, 2008
A blog post about technology, an out-of-control cell phone, privacy, and security. The author references this 1994 OTA report on “Information Security and Privacy in Network Environments“. She also finds this 1995 issue update, which apparently never developed into a full report since OTA was in the process of being de-funded. Science Cheerleader continues to be among those in the blogosphere leading the push to bring back OTA, and you can read more about her ideas here.