Benefit-focused research necessary for renewed partnership Los Alamos director says

Contact: John Gustafson, pogo@lanl.gov, (505) 665-9197

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LOS ALAMOS, N.M., Jan. 31, 2002 -- Los Alamos National Laboratory Director John Browne today called for a “renewed compact” between the nation and the physical sciences community.

In remarks delivered at the National Press Club, Browne said the immediate impetus for such a renewal is developing an effective defense against terrorist activities, but the benefits can extend from exciting more of our youth to pursue a career in science to finding solutions to global issues such as clean energy.

“Public investment in the physical sciences is critically important to effectively combating terrorism here and abroad, as well as addressing other national security issues,” Browne said.

Noting the need to achieve a balance in federal support for different scientific fields (biology and medicine currently get half of all available funding), Browne said, “No single field will dominate in the fight against terrorism. In fact, the greatest advances will be made at the borders between scientific fields.”

Following World War II, Browne said, the nation viewed science, particularly the physical sciences, as an “endless frontier” from which the pursuit of new knowledge would inevitably lead to solutions to society’s problems.

Browne listed as among the physical sciences physics, chemistry, math, computer science and engineering.

The government’s strong relationship with the physical sciences community waned with the end of the Cold War, Browne said, and to renew the compact the physical sciences community must do a better job of explaining the potential derived benefit -- the use -- of its proposed research.

“The scientific community will have to focus its research on the threats we will face in the coming decades,” Browne said.

Browne observed that the science community -- universities, industry, and national laboratories -- responded quickly to the events of Sept. 11, providing “off the shelf” knowledge, expertise, equipment and advice.

To ensure such an ability to respond effectively in the future requires investing in the underlying fundamental research today.

“Current technology will help, but it cannot provide the nation with adequate capabilities to detect, deter or defeat” a future terrorist event more destructive than those of Sept. 11, Browne said.

“We must conduct the multi-disciplinary use-directed research now that will enable the required counter-terrorism systems” of the future, Browne said. “The science community must move research concepts more quickly into the hands of first responders and the military.”

“There is no ‘perfect’ defense against terrorism for a free society,” Browne said. “Science can, however, make it easier to detect terrorist activities, make it harder for the terrorists to carry out their goals, and provide better ways to protect our people.

“In renewing the compact between the physical sciences community, the Government and the public, we will attract and train the next generation of scientists who will win the war on terrorism, advance solutions on other national problems, and increase knowledge for future generations.”

Los Alamos National Laboratory is operated by the University of California for the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) of the U.S. Department of Energy and works in partnership with NNSA's Sandia and Lawrence Livermore national laboratories to support NNSA in its mission.

Los Alamos enhances global security by ensuring the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile, developing technical solutions to reduce the threat of weapons of mass destruction and solving problems related to energy, environment, infrastructure, health and national security concerns.

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