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The National Academy of Sciences (NAS), headquartered in Washington, DC, describes itself as a "society of distinguished scholars engaged in scientific and engineering research, dedicated to the furtherance of science and technology and to their use for the general welfare." [1]

NAS was created by President Lincoln in 1863, to "investigate, examine, experiment, and report upon any subject of science or art" when requested by any department of the government. [2]

Contents 1 Organization 2 The business of government science 3 Personnel 4 Contact details 5 Resources 5.1 Related SourceWatch articles 5.2 References 6 External links

Organization

Most of NAS's science policy and technical work is done by its operating arm, the National Research Council, which was created specifically for this purpose. Other parts of NAS are the National Academy of Engineering and the Institute of Medicine. Collectively NAS along with the mentioned parts can be referred to as the National Academies. ^[1]

The business of government science

Nearly one in five scientists appointed to expert panels of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) had direct financial ties to companies that stood to benefit from the deliberations, according to a [sampling] released by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI). [3]

"I believe there are scientists out there without conflicts of interest who can serve on these committees and do a comparable job" to experts with ties to the affected companies, said Merrill Goozner, CSPI's director of Integrity in Science program. CSPI [cites] the example of a NAS panel evaluating the risk of mercury in fish that included a scientist whose research was funded by pro-industry lobbying groups such as the United States Tuna Foundation. Another panel studying pollution emissions included 10 out of 11 scientists with ties to carbon-emitting industries.

Personnel

^[2]

• Ralph J. Cicerone, President
• Barbara A. Schaal, Vice President
• John I. Brauman, Home Secretary
• M. T. Clegg, Foreign Secretary
• Ronald L. Graham, Treasurer

Councilors:

• Claude R. Canizares, Vice President for Research, Associate Provost, and Bruno Rossi Professor of Experimental Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Vicki L. Chandler, Director, BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona
• Gerald D. Fischbach, John E. Borne Professor of Medical Research and Dean Emeritus, Faculty of Health Sciences, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
• Jerry P. Gollub, JBB Professor in the Natural Sciences and Professor of Physics, Haverford College
• Susan Gottesman, Chief, Biochemical Genetics Section, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health
• Thomas H. Jordan, University Professor and W. M. Keck Foundation Professor of Geophysics, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Southern California
• Margaret G. Kivelson, Distinguished Professor of Space Physics, Department of Earth and Space Sciences and Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, University of California, Los Angeles
• Sharon R. Long, Steere-Pfizer Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, Stanford University
• Joyce Marcus, Robert L. Carneiro Distinguished University Professorof Anthropology, Museum of Anthropology, University of Michigan
• Elliot M. Meyerowitz, George W. Beadle Professor and Chair, Division of Biology, California Institute of Technology
• Stanley B. Prusiner, Professor of Neurology and Director, Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of California, San Francisco
• Inder M. Verma, American Cancer Society Professor of Molecular Biology, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies

Contact details

500 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202-334-2000
Email: webmailbox AT nas.edu
Web: http://www.nasonline.org

Resources

Related SourceWatch articles

• Industry-funded organizations

References

1. ↑ About page, National Academy of Sciences, accessed April 2008.
2. ↑ Leadership, National Academy of Sciences, accessed April 2008.

External links

• Center for Science in the Public Interest, "Are the National Academies Fair and Balanced?: One in Five Scientists on NAS Issue Panels Tied to Firms Involved in Issue", July 24, 2006.
• "Conflicts of interest at Federal agencies: FDA plans to review guidelines, while new report shows conflicts common in NAS panels", The Scientist, July 24, 2006.