(U.S. Representative Chrissie Houlahan (D-PA 6th)) Caucus Reaches 50 Members, Reflecting Growing Bipartisan Momentum -- Today, Representatives Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) and Stephanie Bice (R-OK), Co-Chairs and Co-Founders of the BIOTech Caucus, announced the Caucus’s first-ever slate of formally endorsed legislation. This milestone advances the Caucus’s
Science Policy
Back TO HOMEI Told You So! Scientists Who Were Ridiculed, Exiled, and Imprisoned for Being Right
by Matt Kaplan (Macmillan Publishers/St. Martin's Press) An energetic and impassioned work of popular science about scientists who have had to fight for their revolutionary ideas to be accepted—from Darwin to Pasteur to modern day Nobel Prize winners. For two decades, Matt
February 20, 2026 Read Full Article
Trump Cut Science Funding. Small Businesses Are Paying the Price.
by Chelsea Harvey (Poltico) Some federal contractors are feeling the squeeze after the president slashed support for climate programs and other research efforts. ... All eyes on the federal budget Many small business leaders are anxiously eyeing the horizon as the new year gets
February 08, 2026 Read Full Article
Here’s How the U.S. Can Outcompete Its Competitors: Parts 1 and 2
by CJ Evans (Alternative Fuels & Chemicals Coalition/Federal Funding Services/Biofuels Digest) ... He (CJ Evans) has seen far too many projects fall by the wayside, not because they were flawed or not any good, but because they could not get additional grants
February 03, 2026 Read Full Article
NSCEB Paper Outlines Policy Options to Modernize Oversight of Biotechnology Products
by Lynn L. Bergeson and Carla N. Hutton (Bergeson & Campbell) The National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology (NSCEB) has published a January 2026 discussion paper entitled “Creating Clear Regulatory Pathways for Biotechnology.” According to the paper, biotechnology regulations in the United
February 02, 2026 Read Full Article
Consensus Report: Understanding and Addressing Misinformation about Science
(National Academies of Sciences) Our current information ecosystem makes it easier for misinformation about science to spread and harder for people to figure out what is scientifically accurate. Proactive solutions are needed to address misinformation about science, an issue of public
January 12, 2026 Read Full Article
New Report Identifies Policy Options to Improve Federal Research Regulations, Bolster U.S. Scientific Competitiveness
(National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine) The U.S. scientific enterprise has produced significant advances in the nation’s health, security, and prosperity, making the United States a global leader in science and technology. However, there is increasing concern that scientific and
September 13, 2025 Read Full Article
Two Thousand Of America’s Top Scientists Warn Congress: Don’t Gut Research Funding
by John Drake (Forbes) In a rare display of unity, thousands of America’s most accomplished scientists have joined forces to warn Congress that proposed FY26 budget cuts would do lasting damage to the nation’s economy, health, and global standing. The open letter,
September 05, 2025 Read Full Article
Major Changes to SBIR Program Debated as Reauthorization Deadline Nears
by Jason Miller (WTOP Federal News Network) The Small Business Innovation Research program expires on Sept. 30 and there is little agreement on what the future of the program will look like. -- The reauthorization of the Small Business Innovation Research program
September 05, 2025 Read Full Article
The State of the Science Address 2025
Delivered by NAS President Marcia McNutt: The second annual State of the Science address explored the current status of the U.S. research enterprise and strategies for navigating a rapidly changing scientific landscape. The address was followed by a panel moderated by
June 05, 2025 Read Full Article
EPA, Park Service Take Big Hits in Latest Trump Budget Plan
by Rachel Frazin (The Hill) The Trump administration’s more detailed budget request seeks to decimate science, staffing and other programs at multiple environment-related federal agencies. Entities ranging from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to the National Park Service (NPS) would see deep
June 04, 2025 Read Full Article
National Biotechnology Initiative Act Would Implement Recommendations from NSCEB’s Final Report
by Lynn L. Bergeson and Carla N. Hutton (Bergeson & Campbell) As reported in our April 25, 2025, blog item, the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology (NSCEB) announced on April 8, 2025, the availability of its final report and action plan, “urging Congressional action to
May 09, 2025 Read Full Article
Teach Philosophy of Science
by H. Holden Thorpe (Science) ... What is apparent from the surveys is that a better explanation of the nature of science—that it is revised as new data surface—would have a strong positive effect on public trust. Because scientists are so
April 16, 2024 Read Full Article
India Promoting R&D in Sustainable Biofuels: Union Minister Jitendra Singh
(Times of India/ANI) India today called for commitment from the global clean energy community for access to sustainable fuels, chemicals, and materials to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve global climate goals as one of the mitigation measures, Ministry of Science
November 10, 2021 Read Full Article
Strengthening Transparency in Regulatory Science COMMENTS DUE April 17, 2020 EXTENDED to May 18, 2020
(Environmental Protection Agency/Federal Register) This supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) includes clarifications, modifications and additions to certain provisions in the Strengthening Transparency in Regulatory Science Proposed Rulemaking (“2018 proposed rulemaking,” Ref. 1), published on April 30, 2018. This SNPRM
March 18, 2020 Read Full Article
European Scientists Call for EU Rethink of “Retrograde” Gene-Editing Legislation
by Katherine Durrell (Food Ingredients First) Scientists across Europe are calling for a rethink on the restriction of genome editing technology by the newly-elected European Parliament and European Commission. The open statement is signed by 126 research institutes and comes exactly
August 06, 2019 Read Full Article
Trump's $4.7T Plan Slashes Energy, Environment Programs
by George Cahlink (E&E News) ... The decision means EPA would face a 31 percent cut over current spending, DOE an 11 percent reduction and Interior a 14 percent decrease, budget documents show. ... The White House released only the broad outlines of its spending
March 12, 2019 Read Full Article
To Fulfill Biofuels’ Promise, Scientists Boost Plant Oils with Gene Editing
by Cici Zhang (Chemical and Engineering News) Increasing the fatty acids in crops’ seeds, leaves, and stems could make biofuels more economically viable -- ... Plant scientist Heike Sederoff of North Carolina State University, however, is very familiar with the oils
December 05, 2018 Read Full Article
Pruitt Unveils Controversial ‘Transparency’ Rule Limiting What Research EPA Can Use COMMENT DEADLINE extended to August 16, 2018
by Juliet Eilperin and Brady Dennis (The Washington Post) Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt moved Tuesday to limit what science can be used in writing agency regulations, a change long sought by conservatives. The proposed rule would only allow the EPA to
April 25, 2018 Read Full Article
Was There Ever Really a “Sugar Conspiracy”?
by David Merritt Johns, Gerald M. Oppenheimer (Science Magazine) Over the past quarter-century, historical research has revealed how major industries from tobacco to lead to petroleum have meddled in science to conceal the hazards of their products. Drawing on secret industry
February 26, 2018 Read Full Article
USDA to Re-Engage Stakeholders on Revisions to Biotechnology Regulations
(US Department of Agriculture) The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) today announced it is withdrawing a proposed rule to revise the Agency’s biotechnology regulations and will re-engage with stakeholders to determine the most
November 08, 2017 Read Full Article
Lawmakers Urge Consistent Approach to Federal Regulation of Biotechnology
by Todd Neeley (DTN The Progressive Farmer) In a letter to three federal agency heads on Tuesday, a group of 79 bipartisan members of the United States House of Representatives expressed concern about the direction being taken to regulate agriculture biotechnology, http://bit.ly/…. In
October 25, 2017 Read Full Article
New Knowledge Centre Will Provide Scientific Evidence on Bioeconomy
(European Commission Science Hub) A new Bioeconomy Knowledge Centre has been created by the JRC and DG RTD to better support policy makers with science-based evidence in this field. Launched by the European Commission on 20 July, this online platform will
August 10, 2017 Read Full Article
Scientists Are Conspicuously Missing from Trump’s Government
by Chris Mooney (The Washington Post) President Trump has moved to fill just one of 46 key science and technology positions that help the government counter risks ranging from chemical and biological attacks to rising seas, a Washington Post analysis has found. The
March 14, 2017 Read Full Article
National Academies Report Finds Future Biotechnology Products May Overwhelm Agencies
(Bergeson & Campbell) On March 9, 2017, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (National Academies) published a report entitled Preparing for Future Products of Biotechnology, prepared by the Committee on Future Biotechnology Products and Opportunities to Enhance Capabilities
March 14, 2017 Read Full Article
ARPA-E 2017: Optimism Turns to Tension as Sector Prepares to Protect Energy R&D Funding
by Krysti Shallenberger (Utility Dive) ... At stake is funding for the Advanced Research Project Agency-Energy, more commonly known as ARPA-E. Created in 2007 as a technology incubator under the purview of the Department of Energy, ARPA-E’s mission is to drive innovation
March 06, 2017 Read Full Article
White House’s Proposed Cuts to NOAA Will Undermine Science and Weather Forecasting Vital for Businesses, Military and States
(Union of Concerned Scientists) According to news reports, the Trump administration is seeking a 17 percent budget cut for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, one of the country’s premier scientific institutions, whose research is vital for our economy and
March 06, 2017 Read Full Article
Informing Policy with Science
by Barbara Schaal (Science Magazine) ... President Trump should include credible scientists in the administration—at all levels and in all federal agencies—not individuals who reject proven science on issues of critical public importance such as vaccines or climate change.
February 03, 2017 Read Full Article
Scientists' March on Washington
(Scientists' March on Washington) ... We are working to schedule a March for Science on DC and across the United States. We have not settled on a date yet but will do so as quickly as possible and announce it here.
January 26, 2017 Read Full Article
Trump Administration Backs off Plan to Scrub Climate Pages from EPA Website
by Brady Dennis and Juliet Eilperin (The Washington Post) The Trump administration on Wednesday backed away from plans to take down some climate-change information from the Environmental Protection Agency’s website, which employees said had been planned for this week. But political appointees
January 26, 2017 Read Full Article
Inside EPA Reports On Loss Of Green Chemistry Provision From TSCA Reform
by Lynn L. Bergeson (Bergeson & Campbell/BRAG) On July 1, 2016, Inside EPA published "Committee Jurisdiction Issues Blocked Green Chemistry From TSCA Reform," an article discussing the passage of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) law and the lack of language from
July 22, 2016 Read Full Article
Food & Ag Groups Urge Support for Biotech Education Provision
by Karen Batra (Biotech Now) As the House Committee on Appropriations marks up the FY2017 agriculture spending bill, the Committee is considering $3 million for consumer education and outreach to “promote understanding and acceptance of” biotechnology, a joint effort by the
April 25, 2016 Read Full Article
AAAS President Seeks Increasing Support for Curiosity-Driven Research
by Earl Lane (Science Magazine) From a childhood fascination with cactus plants, to fieldwork in Brazil tracing the wild progenitor of the cassava plant, to learning the subtleties of rice cultivation from an expert farmer in the highlands of Thailand,
March 01, 2016 Read Full Article
DATA CHECK: For Innovation, No Magic in 3% Rule
by Jeffrey Mervis (Science Magazine) Science policy wonks use the ratio of research spending to overall economic activity to judge whether a country is investing enough in innovation. For decades 3% has been the magic number, and Israel and South Korea
March 01, 2016 Read Full Article
The Assault on Federally Supported Science
by Robert D. Atkinson (Information Technology & Innovation Foundation/Christian Science Monitor) Many of the recent attacks on government-backed research conveniently ignore the huge impact that such science has provided worldwide. --- Distrust of government has long focused on economic and
November 16, 2015 Read Full Article
Biotechnology: White House Directs EPA, FDA, and USDA to Update the Coordinated Framework for the Regulation of Biotechnology
(Bergeson & Campbell, P.C.) With little fanfare or advanced notice to the general public, on July 2, 2015, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the U.S. Trade Representative, and
July 06, 2015 Read Full Article
Companies Quietly Apply Biofuel Tools to Household Products
by Stephanie Storm (The New York Times) Consumer products containing ingredients made using an advanced form of engineering known as synthetic biology are beginning to show up more often on grocery and department store shelves. A liquid laundry detergent made by