A Stern Warning

According to Lord Nicholas Stern, the cost of ignoring climate change is higher than the cost of acting to mitigate it. He also says he underestimated the danger of inaction in his previous report.

Gasping for Air

Human activity, from farming to energy generation, is upsetting ocean ecosystems and creating massive “dead zones” off our coasts. Unchecked, the number of such zones around the world will continue to grow.

Plight of the Postdoc

Colleges and universities are graduating more science and engineering Ph.D.s, but diminishing opportunities are derailing young scientists from future careers as scientific leaders.

The Latest Wedge Document

Creationist groups are turning to the Louisiana legislature with a new approach to challenge the teaching of evolutionary theory in schools.

Bruce Schneier on ID Security

In the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States, the number of ID checks in American life has climbed sharply. Some advocate more intrusive identification systems to fight terrorism and limit immigration, while others are skeptical of new procedures for verifying identity because of the impact they may have on costs, computer security, privacy, and civil liberties.

From the Lab to the Market

Five factors influence biotechnology transfer—university policies, economic development agencies, venture capitalists, strategic partners, and financial markets. Understanding each of them is crucial to building regional centers of innovation.

Renegotiating the National Nanotechnology Initiative

Nanotechnology offers potential solutions to many pressing medical and scientific questions, but with these solutions it also offers a host of ethical and policy issues. The House recently aimed to address those issues with new legislation.

Nature Deficit Disorder

Lawmakers finally have a response to the unfortunate truth that the No Child Left Behind Act often means labs and fieldwork for science classes get left behind in favor of test preparation: the No Child Left Inside Act.

Science Is Not Just Another Interest Group

Rep. Rush Holt explains how science informs policy that improves the lives of Americans, builds opportunity, and creates a fair and equitable society.

Congress Delivers Science Supplemental

Congress is moving forward to provide $400 million of additional funding for scientific research and education for fiscal year 2008. Last week the House passed legislation allocating the additional dollars to various scientific agencies.

Wi-fi, War, and Peace in Myanmar

If the Internet is a force for democracy, then is there a moral imperative to bring the World Wide Web to citizens living under repressive regimes?

The Effect of Oil On Scientific Reasoning

President Bush, along with members of Congress, is calling for offshore drilling as a remedy for high gas prices. But their arguments are simply the latest instance of federal policymaking that willfully ignores scientific evidence.

Massachusetts and California Biotech Initiatives Go Head-to-Head

Governor Schwarzenegger touts California’s biotech prowess and Governor Patrick signs legislation for a $1 billion Life Science Initiative in Massachusetts. The rivalry continues between two major biotech states.

Stem Cell Tourism

With no stem cell therapies currently available in the United States, some citizens suffering from dehabilitating conditions turn to “stem cell tourism,” traveling abroad to receive stem cell-based treatments.

GENETICS

Genetic Due Diligence

A lack of federal leadership on the regulation of genetic testing could undermine the benefits of the next medical revolution.

Is Our Representatives Learning?

Sure, it would be nice if we could better educate members of Congress about science. But why not go further by electing more scientists in the first place—and training unelected Ph.D.s in the politics of influence?

Watering the West

Fast-growing western states are making the link between land use and water management by taking a hard look at the reliability of water sources for new development.

Science is the Stuff of Progress

Last Friday, Science Progress kicked off the launch of its inaugural print edition with a gathering of distinguished science policy experts.

Better Scientific Advice for Lawmakers

Last week Congressman Rush Holt (D-NJ) spoke to students about his efforts to facilitate discussions between Congress and top scientists. To make informed policy decisions about scientific issues such as stem cell research, nuclear energy, and global climate change, lawmakers need better scientific advice than what they’re currently receiving.

New Challenges, New Ideas, New Policies

Above all, we have come together at Science Progress in search of new ideas and new policies that ensure scientific innovation offers all Americans the opportunity to contribute to the common good.