Balancing Scientific Publication and National Security Concerns: Issues for Congress Page: 4 of 35
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Balancing Scientific Publication and National
Security Concerns: Issues for Congress
Introduction
Publication of scientific research results that might be used by terrorist groups
has led some policymakers to question whether the method used to control scientific
research results, namely classification, should be revisited. The Administration,
legislators, and scientific professional societies are reexamining policies relating to
scientific information that might threaten national' or homeland2 security.
Policymakers may wish to determine what changes, if any, should be made to current
government policy regarding publication of federally funded research results, and
whether the options currently under consideration adequately balance the concerns
and needs of the security and scientific communities.
This report presents examples of scientific research results whose publication
raised concern regarding the threat they potentially pose to national security. Past
and current information control mechanisms are discussed, along with current federal
policy concerning dissemination of fundamental research results through the open
literature. Recent policy actions regarding dissemination of federal information and
federally funded research results are outlined, along with the responses these actions
have evoked from various professional societies and publishers. The advantages and
disadvantages to potential policy actions addressing classification and other controls
over open publication of federally funded research results are also described.
Historical Overview and Context
Since the 1950s, the United States has developed an established policy of
identifying, prior to publication, areas of basic and applied research where
information controls may be required. This research, typically related to weapon
systems or nuclear technologies, may be designated classified and have strict
1 National security is defined in Executive Order 12356 as "the national defense or foreign
relations of the United States." Both broader and narrower definitions of national security
have been suggested as well. For a discussion on this topic, see Arvin S. Quist, Security
Classification of Information. Volume 2. Principles for Classification of Information
(K/CG-1077/V2), (Oak Ridge, TN: Oak Ridge National Laboratory), September 1989,
Chapter 5.
2 Homeland security is a concerted national effort to prevent terrorist attacks within the
United States, reduce America's vulnerability to terrorism, and minimize the damage and
recover from attacks that do occur. Office of Homeland Security, National Strategy for
Homeland Security, The White House, July 2002.
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Shea, Dana A. Balancing Scientific Publication and National Security Concerns: Issues for Congress, report, November 13, 2006; Washington D.C.. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc816307/m1/4/: accessed April 19, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.