1472 



Table 11, — An Unofficial Listing of "Science and Technology Based Foreign 

 Policy Issues" Prepared in i972— Continued 



V. Bilateral and Multilateral Scientific Program 



(a) Relationships with Communist regimes 



1. Reassessment of technology transfer policies 



\ 2. Exchanges outside of formal agreements 



3. Flexibility to meet a range of technological and less sophisti- 

 cated scientific interests 

 ^ 4. Special problems of China 



'^ \ / 5. Taiwan exchange continuity 



(b) Relationships with non-Communist world 



1. Multilateral versus bilateral program development 



2. Continuity and refinement of Special Foreign Currency 



Program 



3. Arctic concerns of science and technology 



4. S & T relations with less developed countries 



5. Post-AID relations with developing countries 



6. Cooperation with U.N. programs of S & T 



7. Vietnam science and technology relations 



8. Arab/Israeli science and technology concerns 



SCIENCE AS CAUSE AND CURE 



The dual nature of the impact of technology on foreign relations 

 has been described in a 1975 report by a national policy panel of the 

 United Nations Association which noted both beneficial and adverse 

 consequences to be considered: 



Developments in science and technology have become in many cases the basis 

 of political power struggles. National power is constantly being deployed to 

 achieve larger shares of the benefits of such new technologies as remote sensing 

 of the earth's resources and recovery of mineral wealth from the world's seabeds. 

 Where the use of internationally traded resources is at stake, some industrial 

 states are seeking new technologies that will permit self-sufficiency, while many 

 countries hope to use boycotts and cartels as a form of coercion for both economic 

 and political ends. And, scientific research and development for military purposes 

 continue to be a high priority for many nations. According to one estimate, 

 military efforts account currently for about 40 percent of total world research 

 and development expenditures, or nearly $25 billion, which might otherwise be 

 available for non-military purposes. 



While advances in science and technology obviously have contributed both 

 directly and indirectly to the world's problems, on balance they have made — and 

 will continue to make — major contributions to the resolution of those problems. 

 Alleviation of the world food problem depends importantly on scientific and 

 technical advances which will make possible greater agricultural productivity in 

 the developing world. The development of new types of energy sources is an 

 essential element in relieving the problems resulting from geographically con- 

 centrated and ultimately finite supplies of petroleum. It is important that the 

 capabilities — as well as the consequences — of science and technology be examined 

 more carefully than they have been in the past, and in the broadest possible 

 framework, if science and technology are to be applied effectively to benefit 

 mankind as a whole.^^^ 



The report singled out the world food situation and its relationship to 

 world population pressure, population and health, energy, nonfuel 

 mineral resources, and environment as five areas requiring priority 

 attention for U.N. action. 



The panel urged that the United States 



2M United Nations Association of the United States of America, National Policy Panel, Science and 

 Technology in an Era of Inter dependenu (New York: U.N. Association of the U.S.A., January 1975), p. 18. 



