Congress’s Own Think Tank

Dr. Peter D. Blair is Executive Director of the National Research Council's Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences. He was previously Assistant Director of the Congressional Office of Technology Assessment and Director of the agency's Industry, Commerce and International Security Division.

1. Pre-History: Meeting the Need for Science Advice to the U.S. Congress 2. Key Features of the Technology Assessment Act of 1972 3. Startup: Setting the Agenda in OTA's Early Years 4. Growing Pains: Evolution of OTA's Process of Technology Assessment 5. After the Fall: Strengths and Weaknesses of Post OTA Efforts to Fill the Gap 6. Looking Forward: Comparing Future Options 7. Conclusions: Restoring Independent, Authoritative, and Objective Science and Technology Advice to the U.S. Congress