As experts seek explanations for America’s recordbreaking performance in the current world economy, it is tempting to credit our bountiful natural resources and our diverse, hardworking population. But many other countries — and even our own ancestors — have enjoyed similar resources without producing an economic boom such as the United States achieved in the late 20th century.

The credit for our recent success really goes to the powerful system we have generated to create new knowledge and develop it into technologies that drive our economy, guarantee our national security, and improve our health and quality of life.

This report explores some of the remarkable, tangible benefits to our nation from the sustained funding of research and development (R&D). The President’s Committee of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) prepared this report in response to Vice President Gore’s request. The Vice President called for a new compact between our scientific community and our government — one that would emphasize support for fundamental science and a shared responsibility to shape our breakthroughs into progress. The Vice President turned to PCAST for help in illuminating the benefits of our past and present investments in science and technology.

The technologies covered here — those dealing with information, global positioning, biotechnology, food, the environment, and manufacturing — illustrate how much we have come to rely on technology and take it for granted in our everyday lives. But the marvels of today are really the fruits of research seeds planted decades ago —investments that have not only given us new technologies, but have also helped educate generations of engineers and scientists who now form an essential component of our modern workforce. The very fact that these advances required decades of investment stands as a warning against complacency in our future investment strategy. As the Vice President has noted, the government and the private sector must work together to ensure that today’s investments in research and development are sufficient to yield similar payoffs to society in the 21st century. Close cooperation with our international partners is also crucial to the success of this venture, since scientific breakthroughs occur with no regard for national borders. ... (Introduction)

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Wellspring of Prosperity:  Science and Technology in the U.S. Economy
How Investments in Discovery Are Making Our Lives Better
Spring 2000

Table of Contents:

Foreword ii
Message from the Vice President iv
Introduction 1
Chapter 1
Information Technologies 3
Chapter 2
Global Positioning System 7
Chapter 3
Biomedical Technologies 11
Chapter 4
Food Technologies 15
Chapter 5
Environmental Technologies 19
Chapter 6
Manufacturing Technologies 23
Epilogue 29
About PCAST 30
Acknowledgments 31

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In 1999, Vice President Gore requested the President’s Committee of Advisors on Science and Technology Policy (PCAST) to prepare a concise report on ways in which science and technology have contributed to the U.S. economy and to the well-being of the American people in their daily lives.

The members of PCAST reviewed the many ways in which far-sighted investments in research and development activities during the past half-century have enriched Americans’ health, security, environment, and general quality of life. We discussed the challenges to sustain these R&D investments—both in the short term and over the long haul—so that the scientific wellspring will continue to generate prosperity well into the next century.

We also emphasized that the promise of technology’s contributions must be met by developing a skilled and flexible workforce and in fostering opportunities for education and lifelong learning for all Americans.

This short report examines several areas in which science and technology have blossomed from wise and balanced investments in research and development over the past several decades. Only a short time ago, many of the technological wonders we now take for granted would have been considered fantasy or science fiction. We note that, in particular, information technologies, based on much more basic research, have led the way in so many fields.

We hope the readers of this brief overview will learn from these success stories and will reflect on the linkage between a wide variety of interdisciplinary discoveries that now make our economy stronger and our lives easier and more rewarding. And we hope that Americans will also understand that we must continue the stream of such investments to ensure that our current prosperity endures. Our Committee congratulates the Clinton-Gore Administration for its appreciation of the importance of a strong and well-balanced science and technology portfolio — and for its hard work and foresight in keeping the wellspring flowing, allowing us and future generations to build a better America for the 21st century.

Neal Lane      John Young

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