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Capitol Connection

The intersection of science and public policy

January 22, 2013 | Author:Freelance Writer Margo Pierce
The intersection of science and public policy

Just about every public policy issue has a scientific component, whether it’s hidden or obvious; but the facts and insights science brings to deliberations can often go unaddressed. This happens because elected officials tend to shy away from science and because scientists shy away from politics with the end result being laws based on incomplete information. U.S. Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ) sees this occurring in Washington and says it needs to change.