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Philanthropy Horizons
September 2004
A monthly update for the foundation community from the National Academies -- National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, Institute of Medicine, and National Research Council -- the nation’s nonprofit, nongovernmental advisors on federal science, technology, and healthcare policy.
In this issue:
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
-Report Advises Developing Salmon Research, Restoration Plan in Alaska
NATIONAL SECURITY
-Army, Homeland Security Should Collaborate
POLICY AND RESEARCH ISSUES
-Gov't Should Assess Foods Based on Composition, Not Creation
NEW AT THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES
-Koshland Museuem Hosts Murder Mystery
-New Information Source on Earth and Life Science
UPCOMING EVENTS AND OPEN MEETINGS
-Establishing a National Cord Blood Stem Cell Bank Program
-Review of the WIC Food Package
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
Report Advises on Developing Salmon Research, Restoration Plan in Alaska
A new report from the National Academies' Board on Environmental Studies and Toxicology and Polar Research Board provides advice to the Arctic-Yukon-Kuskokwim Sustainable Salmon Initiative on developing a research and restoration plan for AYK salmon. The report describes key components of a research and restoration plan as well as frameworks for understanding salmon ecosystems, and identifies several important questions that scientists and community members should strive to answer.
Full Report
Board on Environmental Studies and Toxicology
NATIONAL SECURITY
Army, Homeland Security Should Collaborate
The US Department of Defense, particularly the Army, should help the US Department of Homeland Security develop technologies that emergency responders can use to react to a major disaster or terrorist attack, says a new report from the National Academies' Board on Army Science and Technology. Such collaboration could get needed technologies into the hands of local responders sooner.
News Summary
Full Report
POLICY AND RESEARCH ISSUES
Government Should Assess Foods Based on Composition, Not Creation
Federal agencies should assess the safety of foods -- whether produced by genetic engineering or by other genetic modification techniques, such as conventional breeding for desirable traits -- on a case-by-case basis to determine whether unintended changes in their composition could adversely affect human health, says a new report from the National Academies' National Research Council and Institute of Medicine.
News Summary
Report Brief
Full Report
Opening Statement
NEW AT THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES
Koshland Museum Hosts Murder Mystery
Forty amateur sleuths assembled at the National Academy of Sciences' Marian Koshland Science Museum last month to learn about the science behind crime scene investigation. Participants "solved" a simulated murder by questioning forensic experts about the evidence and learning about the scientific techniques that are used to investigate real crimes. Upcoming public events at the museum include an evening wine tasting that will trace the genetic origin of Chardonnay and demonstrate climate's effect on wine; screenings of science-related popular films; and brown bag lunches about science in the news.
Koshland Science Museum
New Information Source on Earth and Life Studies
The National Academies' Division on Earth and Life Studies has released the Earth & Life Studies Gateway, a website featuring the division's latest news, reports, projects and events in the realm of geo-, chemical, and life sciences. The division has produced reports on such high profile issues as stem cell research, drilling for oil on Alaska's North Slope, the transportation of nuclear waste, and protecting the nation's food supply. The new site also offers the ability to sign up for e-mail updates, including notification when new study committee rosters have been posted for public comment. The Gateway and a sign-up option are at the accompanying link.
DELS Gateway
UPCOMING EVENTS AND OPEN MEETINGS
MEETING: Establishing a National Cord Blood Stem Cell Bank Program
The Committee on the Establishment of a National Cord Blood Stem Cell Bank Program will meet September 29-30 at the Academies' J. Erik Johnson Woods Hole Center in Woods Hole, MA. The meeting will begin with an open session on outcome data and lessons learned from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute study. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact Judy Estep, by e-mail at jestep@nas.edu or by telephone at 202-334-2013.
Draft Agenda
MEETING: Review of the WIC Food Packages
The Committee to Review the WIC Food Packages will meet September 9-10 at the Academies' Keck Center in Washington DC (500 5th Street NW). The meeting will include a public forum on Thursday, September 9, from 1:00 to 3:00. If you would like to attend the sessions of this meeting that are open to the public or need more information please contact Jon Sanders, by e-mail at jsanders@nas.edu or by telephone at 202 334 2911.
Draft Agenda
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The nation turns to the National Academies - National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, Institute of Medicine, and National Research Council - for independent, objective advice on issues that affect people's lives worldwide. http://www.national-academies.org
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