A national science and technology policy

One of our most pressing needs is for a continuous mechanism to assure that the fruits of science and technology are purposefully used for the economic and social benefit of the entire country. Many of the problems discussed apply equally to other nations throughout the world Science and technology are the dominant influences in our lives, as individuals in a society, and as a nation in a world of other nations. Given this premise, one might assume that there must be a national policy for science and engineering. We have a fiscal policy, a tax policy, a natural resources policy, an agricultural policy, a trade policy, a defense policy, a foreign policy. But as yet we do not have a national policy for science and engineering — at least, we do not have a firm one. We must not adopt a policy of national neglect, or a policy of national indifference toward one of the most significant and far-reaching elements in our society.