Science, Policy and Politics

摘要

Science can inform policy and, indeed, it should. However, what should be a linear process rarely is one. Often, legislation moves ahead of or behind what we know from science. And, we lack a unified policy on science. Rarely do we see examples when our scientific knowledge is translated easily into policy and then legislation. I suggest this result has two primary underpinnings. The first is related to the backgrounds and experience of most members of Congress. With the recent special election in Illinois, Bill Foster joins Rush Holt and Vernon Ehlersas members of Congress who hold Ph.D.'s in physics. The House also has one Ph.D. in physiology, one in mathematics and another in chemistry.