Review of: Science Advice to the President (William T. Golden, ed. AAAS Press 2d Ed. 1993). Acknowledgments, index of names, introductions, notes, tables. ISBN 0-87168-509-4 [340 pp. $29.95 paper. American Association for the Advancement of Science, 1333 H St. NW, Washington DC 20701.

Van Dyke, Timothy

English

University of New Hampshire

RISK: Health, Safety & Environment (1990-2002)
Volume 7 | Number 4 Article 12
September 1996
Review of: Science Advice to the President
(William T. Golden, ed. AAAS Press 2d Ed. 1993).
Timothy Van Dyke
Follow this and additional works at: https://scholars.unh.edu/risk
Part of the Engineering Commons, Life Sciences Commons, Medicine and Health Sciences
Commons, and the Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons
This Book Review is brought to you for free and open access by the University of New Hampshire – School of Law at University of New Hampshire
Scholars' Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in RISK: Health, Safety & Environment (1990-2002) by an authorized editor of University of
New Hampshire Scholars' Repository. For more information, please contact ellen.phillips@law.unh.edu.
Repository Citation
Timothy Van Dyke, Review of: Dennis W. Nixon, Marine and Coastal Law: Cases and Materials (Praeger 1994), 7 RISK 391 (1996).
Review of: Science Advice to the President (William T. Golden, ed. AAAS
Press 2d Ed. 1993).
Erratum
The citation for this review is 7 RISK 385 (1996) in most commercial databases.
This book review is available in RISK: Health, Safety & Environment (1990-2002): https://scholars.unh.edu/risk/vol7/iss4/12
Book Reviews 391
Science Advice to the President (William T. Golden, ed. AAAS Press
2d Ed. 1993). Acknowledgments, index of names, introductions, notes, tables.
ISBN 0-87168-509-4 [340 pp. $29.95 paper. American Association for the
Advancement of Science, 1333 H St. NW, Washington DC 20701.]
Dr. Golden has compiled a set of essays that examine issues
involved in providing useful science information to policy makers and,
more specifically, the relationship of science and technology to political
office. The authors represent a surplus of experts, including the present
science advisor and all former ones since the Truman Administration, as
well as former President Ford himself.
A central premise is that science has extraordinary power and
influence and should be a vital factor in presidential as well as
congressional policy-making. This is probably best illustrated by
William G. Wells' essay:
1
In a very brief time science has proved itself an incredibly
powerful revolutionary force which has swiftly and
dramatically affected society's beliefs and values, created
and destroyed industries, revolutionized war, transformed
and overturned political and social organizations, and
modified man's conception of his place in te universe.
In regard to the politician's role, he quotes Eisenhower:
2
"[I]t is the task of statesmanship to mold, to balance, and to
integrate these and other forces.., within the principles of
our democratic system - ever aiming toward the supreme
goals of our free society."
Thus, the book's main focus is exploring the most effective way of
encouraging presidents to seek, consider, evaluate and use scientific and
technological advice. It provides, too, an analysis of how the less than
smooth relationship between science advisors and presidents has evolved
and suggests paths it should take in the future.
Science Advice to the President seems to be written for present and
future presidents, members of congress, career civil servants, educators
and others directly concerned with the social effects of rapid
technology growth and its management by government. It may also be
of particular interest to funded university researchers. For example, the
1 At 254.
2 At 255.
7 Risk. Health, Safety & Environment 385 [Fall 1996]
essay by Gerald Piel3 gives an interesting analysis of the current state of
basic and applied science research funding, the direction it is heading
and a proposal to maintain its well-being. Finally, with close attention,
even casual readers should have little difficulty exploring the important
area the book addresses.
Since the first edition was published in 1980, only a few articles
have been added. Many older articles argue for reestablishing the
President's Science Advisory Committee. Because President Bush did
exactly that in 1989 and President Clinton has continued it, the
argument has already been won. Nevertheless, a thorough discussion of
recurring issues provides an excellent framework for assessing its
continuing viability.
Timothy Van Dyket
3 At 205.
t Mr. Van Dyke received a B.S. (Biology) from the University of Florida and a
M.S. (Microbiology) from the University of South Florida. He is a candidate for the
J.D. at FPLC.


Review of: Science Advice to the President (William T. Golden, ed. AAAS Press 2d Ed. 1993).

UNH Scholars' Repository

RISK: Health, Safety & Environment (1990-2002)Volume 7 | Number 4 Article 12September 1996Review of: Science Advice to the President(William T. Golden, ed. AAAS Press 2d Ed. 1993).Timothy Van DykeFollow this and additional works at: https://scholars.unh.edu/riskPart of the Engineering Commons, Life Sciences Commons, Medicine and Health SciencesCommons, and the Physical Sciences and Mathematics CommonsThis Book Review is brought to you for free and open access by the University of New Hampshire – School of Law at University of New HampshireScholars' Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in RISK: Health, Safety & Environment (1990-2002) by an authorized editor of University ofNew Hampshire Scholars' Repository. For more information, please contact ellen.phillips@law.unh.edu.Repository CitationTimothy Van Dyke, Review of: Dennis W. Nixon, Marine and Coastal Law: Cases and Materials (Praeger 1994), 7 RISK 391 (1996).Review of: Science Advice to the President (William T. Golden, ed. AAASPress 2d Ed. 1993).ErratumThe citation for this review is 7 RISK 385 (1996) in most commercial databases.This book review is available in RISK: Health, Safety & Environment (1990-2002): https://scholars.unh.edu/risk/vol7/iss4/12Book Reviews 391Science Advice to the President (William T. Golden, ed. AAAS Press2d Ed. 1993). Acknowledgments, index of names, introductions, notes, tables.ISBN 0-87168-509-4 [340 pp. $29.95 paper. American Association for theAdvancement of Science, 1333 H St. NW, Washington DC 20701.]Dr. Golden has compiled a set of essays that examine issuesinvolved in providing useful science information to policy makers and,more specifically, the relationship of science and technology to politicaloffice. The authors represent a surplus of experts, including the presentscience advisor and all former ones since the Truman Administration, aswell as former President Ford himself.A central premise is that science has extraordinary power andinfluence and should be a vital factor in presidential as well ascongressional policy-making. This is probably best illustrated byWilliam G. Wells' essay:1In a very brief time science has proved itself an incrediblypowerful revolutionary force which has swiftly anddramatically affected society's beliefs and values, createdand destroyed industries, revolutionized war, transformedand overturned political and social organizations, andmodified man's conception of his place in te universe.In regard to the politician's role, he quotes Eisenhower:2"[I]t is the task of statesmanship to mold, to balance, and tointegrate these and other forces.., within the principles ofour democratic system - ever aiming toward the supremegoals of our free society."Thus, the book's main focus is exploring the most effective way ofencouraging presidents to seek, consider, evaluate and use scientific andtechnological advice. It provides, too, an analysis of how the less thansmooth relationship between science advisors and presidents has evolvedand suggests paths it should take in the future.Science Advice to the President seems to be written for present andfuture presidents, members of congress, career civil servants, educatorsand others directly concerned with the social effects of rapidtechnology growth and its management by government. It may also beof particular interest to funded university researchers. For example, the1 At 254.2 At 255.7 Risk. Health, Safety & Environment 385 [Fall 1996]essay by Gerald Piel3 gives an interesting analysis of the current state ofbasic and applied science research funding, the direction it is headingand a proposal to maintain its well-being. Finally, with close attention,even casual readers should have little difficulty exploring the importantarea the book addresses.Since the first edition was published in 1980, only a few articleshave been added. Many older articles argue for reestablishing thePresident's Science Advisory Committee. Because President Bush didexactly that in 1989 and President Clinton has continued it, theargument has already been won. Nevertheless, a thorough discussion ofrecurring issues provides an excellent framework for assessing itscontinuing viability.Timothy Van Dyket3 At 205.t Mr. Van Dyke received a B.S. (Biology) from the University of Florida and aM.S. (Microbiology) from the University of South Florida. He is a candidate for theJ.D. at FPLC.

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Review of: Science Advice to the President (William T. Golden, ed. AAAS Press 2d Ed. 1993).

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