WellspringWellspring of Prosperityof Prosperity Science and Technology in the U.S. Economy How Investments in Discovery Are Making Our Lives Better President’s CommitteeCommittee of of Advisors Advisors on on Science Science and and Technology Technology President’s Committee of Advisors on Science and Technology Wellspring of Prosperity Science and Technology in the U.S. Economy How Investments in Discovery Are Making Our Lives Better Spring 2000 Foreword EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT PRESIDENT’S COMMITTEE OF ADVISORS ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY WASHINGTON, D.C. 20502 n 1999, Vice President Gore requested the President’s Committee of Advisors on Science and Technology IPolicy (PCAST) to prepare a concise report on ways in which science and technology have contributed to the U.S. economy and to the well-being of the American people in their daily lives. The members of PCAST reviewed the many ways in which far-sighted investments in research and development activities during the past half-century have enriched Americans’ health, security, environment, and general quality of life. We discussed the challenges to sustain these R&D investments—both in the short term and over the long haul—so that the scientific wellspring will continue to generate prosperity well into the next century. We also emphasized that the promise of technology’s contributions must be met by developing a skilled and flexible workforce and in fostering opportunities for education and lifelong learning for all Americans. This short report examines several areas in which science and technology have blossomed from wise and bal- anced investments in research and development over the past several decades. Only a short time ago, many of the technological wonders we now take for granted would have been considered fantasy or science fiction. We note that, in particular, information technologies, based on much more basic research, have led the way in so many fields. We hope the readers of this brief overview will learn from these success stories and will reflect on the link- age between a wide variety of interdisciplinary discoveries that now make our economy stronger and our lives easier and more rewarding. And we hope that Americans will also understand that we must continue the stream of such investments to ensure that our current prosperity endures. Our Committee congratulates the Clinton-Gore Administration for its appreciation of the importance of a strong and well-balanced science and technology portfolio — and for its hard work and foresight in keeping the wellspring flowing, allowing us and future generations to build a better America for the 21st century. Neal Lane John Young ii President’s Committee of Advisors on Science and Technology Wellspring of Prosperity Table of Contents Wellspring of Prosperity Science and Technology in the U.S. Economy How Investments in Discovery Are Making Our Lives Better Spring 2000 Foreword ii Message from the Vice President iv Introduction 1 Chapter 1 Information Technologies 3 Chapter 2 Global Positioning System 7 Chapter 3 Biomedical Technologies 11 Chapter 4 Food Technologies 15 Chapter 5 Environmental Technologies 19 Chapter 6 Manufacturing Technologies 23 Epilogue 29 About PCAST 30 Acknowledgments 31 Wellspring of Prosperity President’s Committee of Advisors on Science and Technology iii ince the earliest days of our nation’s birth, the American experience has been defined by our Sboundless search for new frontiers, our ceaseless quest for new discoveries, and our restless pursuit of new knowledge. Today, perhaps more than at any time in our history, the strength of our economy, the health of our families, and the quality of our lives depend upon America’s unmatched science and technology enterprise. At the dawn of a new century, much of our success in the years ahead will depend in large measure on the investments we make today in scientific research and technological innovation. President Clinton and I are unequivocally committed to sustaining and nurturing U.S. scientific leadership across the frontiers of scientific knowledge. This is not merely a cultural tradition of our nation. It is an economic and security imperative. We must rise to this challenge while ensuring that our newest and most advanced technologies incorporate our oldest and most cherished values. Whether measured in terms of discoveries, citations, or prizes, our country’s prior investments have yielded a scientific and engineering enterprise without peer. Over the past several decades, public investments in research have helped America’s scientists and engineers split the atom, splice the gene, explore the moon, invent the microchip, create the laser, and build the Internet — and in the process millions of good-paying jobs have been created. To spur America’s future achievements in science and engineering, the Administration has acted in a variety of roles: sustaining our research leadership position; strengthening a business environment that supports private sector research and development; investing in technological infrastructure; and advancing critical technologies, often in partnership with our universities and industries. The accomplishments and initiatives described in this report are representative of our research and development portfolio that has enjoyed broad bipartisan support. It is, of course, impossible to accurately predict which areas of science and engineering will yield ground-breaking discoveries, what those inventions will be, how they will impact other scientific disciplines and, eventually, benefit our daily lives. Who can be sure exactly what advances will be needed to maintain our national security and our strong economy, or clean up our environment and develop a healthier, better-educated citizenry? What we can ensure is that America remains at the forefront of scientific capability by sustaining our investments in basic research, thereby enhancing our ability to shape a more prosperous future for ourselves, our children, and future generations while building a better America for the twenty-first century. Al Gore iv President’s Committee of Advisors on Science and Technology Wellspring of Prosperity Introduction Wellspring of Prosperity Science and Technology in the U.S. Economy s experts seek explanations for America’s record- The technologies covered here — those dealing with A breaking performance in the current world economy, information, global positioning, biotechnology, food, it is tempting to credit our bountiful natural resources the environment, and manufacturing — illustrate how and our diverse, hardworking population. But many other much we have come to rely on technology and take it for countries — and even our own ancestors — have enjoyed granted in our everyday lives. But the marvels of today are similar resources without producing an economic boom really the fruits of research seeds planted decades ago — such as the United States achieved in the late 20th century. investments that have not only given us new technologies, The credit for our recent success really goes to the power- but have also helped educate generations of engineers ful system we have generated to create new knowledge and scientists who now form an essential component of and develop it into technologies that drive our economy, our modern workforce. The very fact that these advances guarantee our national security, and improve our health required decades of investment stands as a warning against and quality of life. complacency in our future investment strategy. As the Vice This report explores some of the remarkable, tangible President has noted, the government and the private sec- benefits to our nation from the sustained funding of tor must work together to ensure that today’s investments research and development (R&D). The President’s in research and development are sufficient to yield similar Committee of Advisors on Science and Technology payoffs to society in the 21st century. Close cooperation (PCAST) prepared this report in response to Vice with our international partners is also crucial to the suc- President Gore’s request. The Vice President called for cess of this venture, since scientific breakthroughs occur a new compact between our scientific community and our with no regard for national borders. government — one that would emphasize support for fun- damental science and a shared responsibility to shape our Research Pays Economic Dividends breakthroughs into progress. The Vice President turned The President’s Council of Economic Advisors and other to PCAST for help in illuminating the benefits of our economists have pointed out the high rates of return on past and present investments in science and technology. investments in research and development. This past Wellspring of Prosperity President’s Committee of Advisors on Science and Technology 1 spring, Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan repeat- • The Federal investment in science and technology edly cited an unexpected leap in technology as primarily must support a diverse portfolio of research, includ- responsible for the nation’s record-breaking economic ing both basic and applied science. performance. In particular, a technology-based surge in • Stability of funding is essential. productivity appears to be contributing substantially to Federal investment played an important role in the our economic success. development of all the technologies described in this This report only hints at the many non-economic bene- report — particularly in cases where the results