Science and Public Policy: Promises and Constraints 51 



We can state, however, that we do have a substantial surplus 

 of food for our own needs at this moment, even though it may 

 be dwindling because of exports, and we do have a fine tradi- 

 tion of transferring basic agricultural research into practical 

 results. It is evident that building research is not carried out 

 in our country in anything like the systematic way common 

 in some other parts of the world. On the other hand, it must 

 be recognized that this field is complicated by a diversity of 

 industrial suppliers and by the fact that labor unions tend to 

 resist labor-saving devices. Our intrinsic ability in the field of 

 construction is shown by the fact that we have been highly 

 effective in evolving techniques for planning and carrying 

 through highway construction. 



We were late in entering the space race, probably because 

 of political rather than scientific or technical shortsightedness, 

 but we did have successful Ranger shots to the moon. Mariner 

 voyages to both Venus and Mars, and are well on the road 

 toward developing successful rendezvous techniques which are 

 highly important for the Apollo mission. We cannot claim the 

 first earth orbiting satellite as we would have if we had taken 

 the field of scientific satellites with appropriate seriousness fol- 

 lowing the Korean War, but we did discover the Van Allen 

 Radiation Belt because our scientific interest was basically 

 broad and sound. 



I believe it is safe to say that the greatest con- 

 Constraints straints on the development of science and sci- 

 Tied to ence-based technology in our country originate 



Tradition in tradition. The straitening effects of tradition 

 are by no means new in human society. Regard- 

 less of the seriousness of our constraints, however, I am cer- 

 tain I would not trade them with the constraints found in 

 many other lands. 



To consider a few examples, India, which at present has a 

 population that is expanding by at least two-and-one-half per 

 cent a year, has many difficulties arising from nationally re- 

 vered traditions to overcome before it will be able to feel certain 



