Balancing Scientific Publication and National Security Concerns: Issues for Congress. CRS Report for Congress
Abstract
The Federal Government has historically supported the open publication of federally funded research results. In cases in which such results presented a challenge to national security concerns, several mechanisms have been employed. For fundamental research purposes, the federal policy has been to use classification to limit dissemination. For advanced technology and technological information, a combination of classification and export and arms trafficking regulation has been used to inhibit its spread. The terrorist attacks of 2001 have increased scrutiny of nonconventional weapons, including weapons of mass destruction, and publication of some research results have increased concerns over whether publication of federally funded extramural research results could threaten national security. The current federal policy, as described in National Security Decision Directive 189, is that fundamental research should remain unrestricted and that in the rare case where it is necessary to restrict such information, classification is the appropriate vehicle to do so. This report covers the following topics: Examples of Research Results of Concern; Past and Current Controls on Information; Current Federal Policy on Scientific Publication; Mechanisms of Governmental Control, including Classification, Export Controls, and Prepublication Review; Recent Policy Actions, including the Card Memorandum, the Department of Defense Draft Directive, Congressional Action, Response of Professional Societies, Department of Homeland Security, and Department of Health and Human Services; and Policy Options, such as Maintaining the Status Quo, Self-Regulation by Scientists, Regulation by Publishers, Federal Regulation (e.g., prepublication review of sensitive but unclassified results, security review at the funding stage, and federal licensing of research), and Oversight of the Department of Homeland Security.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 16, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA434613
Entities
People
- Dana A. Shea
Organizations
- Library of Congress