The Federation of American Scientists
The Federation of American Scientists (FAS) was formed in 1945 by atomic scientists from the Manhattan Project who felt that scientists, engineers and other innovators had an ethical obligation to bring their knowledge and experience to bear on critical national decisions, especially pertaining to the technology they unleashed - the Atomic Bomb.
Endorsed by 69 Nobel Laureates in chemistry, economics, medicine and physics, FAS addresses a broad spectrum of issues in carrying out its mission to promote humanitarian uses of science and technology. FAS members build on an honorable history of insisting that rational, evidence-based arguments be heard.
In recent years, the mission of FAS has expanded to include our country’s critical challenges in housing, energy and education.
What has FAS done this past year? What are we thinking about in the coming year?
Nuclear Non-Proliferation, Small Arms/Light Weapons, Biosecurity, Government Secrecy, Emerging Technologies, and Building Technologies
Nuclear Non-proliferation:
FAS is engaged in efforts to block dangerous plutonium
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reprocessing efforts.Members of Congress have virtually no access to technical advice on nuclear questions except from representatives of the nuclear industry or national laboratories, both with clear vested interests in the administration proposed Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP). Through one-on-one briefings (with over 30 key congressional offices), briefing books, journal articles and web-based materials, FAS is showing that plans for plutonium reprocessing raise serious nuclear proliferation dangers and are decades premature.
FAS was active in opposing the administration proposed agreement for supplying nuclear materials to India because
it threatened to undermine nonproliferation efforts while gaining no significant control over the Indian weapons program. The effort was supported by a letter signed by 37 Nobel Laureates. Additionally, FAS held a well received
press conference at the National Press Club and just recently Congressman Ed Markey lead a press conference
at the FAS offices in Washington in opposition to the treaty.
Small Arms/Light Weapons:
The Small Arms Trade was published in November 2006 and provides an overview of the illicit arms trade written specifically for lay readers and policymakers. The book, co-written by Arms Sales Monitoring Project (ASMP) Manager Matt Schroeder, features a four-chapter history of the proliferation and control of man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS) the first of its kind. It has received glowing reviews from the editor of Foreign Policy magazine and the former director of the State Department Office of Export Controls and Conventional Arms Nonproliferation Policy.
After several years of consistent pressure from the ASMP, this year the President requested, and Congress is set to approve, significant increase
in funding for a critically important but chronically under-funded US program that secures and destroys surplus, obsolete and poorly secured weapons in foreign countries.
Biosecurity:
For the last decade, FAS has maintained one of the largest archives of biosecurity information on the web, which is now organized in a user-friendly biosecurity resource page that includes an interactive biosecurity and biodefense research map. This interactive biodefense research map includes a comprehensive list of groups worldwide working in biosecurity. The online resource also features an extensive list of reports and legislation relating to biosecurity. The resource serves as an essential clearinghouse for biosecurity and bioterrorism information. (read more)
FAS is increasing awareness in the life sciences research community of dual-use research through a series of case studies. The online education series, raises awareness in the academic research community that some of their work could be misused for the creation of biological weapons. FAS created the first comprehensive dual-use research curriculum for graduate students that include video interviews with the scientists involved in dual-use research discussing their experiences. (read more)
Government Secrecy:
In 2006, the American Library Association recognized the FAS Government Secrecy Project and Project Director Steven Aftergood with the prestigious James Madison Award for championing, protecting, and promoting public access to government information and the public right to know. The project was also awarded the Public Access to Government Information Award from the American Association of Law Libraries.
Earlier this year, Project Director Steven Aftergood triggered an intense and embarrassing episode involving the Office of Vice President Dick Cheney in which the Vice President claimed bizarrely that his office was not part of the executive branch.
The story originated with a complaint filed by Mr. Aftergood with the government Information Security Oversight Office, criticizing the Vice President refusal to comply with normal oversight requirements. The FAS complaint was forwarded to the Attorney General for review. After Rep. Henry Waxman followed up with his own probe, the story made national headlines, and served to exemplify just how far the current Administration has deviated from the usual norms of oversight and accountability. For a week or more, political cartoonists, late night comedians, and others effectively mocked the Vice Presidents pretensions.
The FAS Project on Government Secrecy has also formulated a menu of constructive reforms that could positively improve government information policy while reducing needless secrecy. Some of these proposals -- such as publication of the intelligence budget total -- are now on the verge of approval.
Emerging Technologies Program:
The Learning Technologies Program currently focuses on ways to use technology to improve how we teach and learn. Simulations, search engines, computer games, and other information technology tools have revolutionized the way people acquire information. These tools have the potential to make learning more productive for students of all ages and all backgrounds. Simulations and games, for example, allow users to make immediate use of a scientific or mathematical concept and solve authentic if virtual challenges. Finding ways to use this technology effectively in learning must be an essential part of meeting the nations education and training challenges.
Common Virtual World Software Platform for Education and Training:
FAS is organizing a consortium of federal agencies, companies, universities, and foundations that will develop and use a common software platform for education and training. A number of commercial systems (such as Second Life) offer many of the features required. FAS has hosted interagency meetings and is working with the Kauffman Foundation to select a platform and build a coalition of agencies and organizations who will use it. FAS is also working to build an active international community that will contribute to the creation of persistent virtual learning environments.
Serious Games:
In order to understand the practical challenges faced by developers of advanced instructional technology, FAS is building and evaluating games and simulations.
The development of this software will not only lead to useful educational tools, but also provide insights into the areas where research is needed. They provide a unique laboratory for exploring the impact of a variety of innovative approaches to learning including those involving sophisticated simulation and user modeling strategies. The FAS projects are designed for different age groups, different learning and training needs and different subject areas.
Discover Babylon:
Discover Babylon is a sophisticated video game for informal learning. It is set in ancient Mesopotamia, modern-day Iraq, and is designed to introduce middle school children to the diverse contributions this civilization made to world culture, especially with the invention and development of written language. Built in consultation with archaeologists, museum specialists and other subject matter experts, this game features accurate historical material, photorealistic environments and compelling learning challenges.
Immune Attack:
Immune Attack is a state-of-the-art video game that challenges students to defeat increasingly sophisticated infections by training the key elements of their immune system in sophisticated defensive strategies. The game is played by navigating a biologically accurate, three dimensional environment of blood vessels and tissues in a human body.
Multi Casualty Incident Responder:
FAS has also designed and evaluated training technology for adult learners. Multi Casualty Incident Responder, developed in partnership with the Fire Department of New York (FDNY), trains chiefs to manage complex events involving many deployed units. The high-stress, interactive decision-making training simulation teaches firefighters and serves as a model for other first responder training. This emergency responder training software creates scenarios that are customized for local needs.
Building Technologies:
The quality of construction plays a major role in our global environmental impact. Buildings in the U.S. consume more than two thirds of all electricity generated and nearly 40 percent of all energy.This translates into a huge environmental liability: energy production and use are responsible for 85 percent of human greenhouse gas production and for 80-90 percent of most other sources of air pollution. Material waste from building construction and demolition amounts to roughly 130 million tons annually.
FAS worked to increase building energy efficiency by optimizing building shell technology through composite building assemblies. The FAS team worked closely with the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, the Florida Solar Energy Center, University of California Berkeley, the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the Structural Insulated Panel Association, and a number of building suppliers and construction firms to evaluate products to meet and exceed goals of safety and energy efficiency.
To gain practical, first-hand experience with these composite products, FAS collaborated on the construction of several structures. These include two small homes built in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity in Mobile, Alabama, that will be occupied by victims from hurricanes Katrina and Rita. In collaboration with the largest construction firm in Turkey, a large home was constructed in a suburb of Istanbul. As these homes near completion, FAS has documented their performance in order to optimize the building process and end product as well as learn from and advertise how to successfully implement these green building technologies.
In addition, FAS has worked with the state of Mississippi to provide emergency housing in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Acting as a technical advisor for the states proposal to The Alternative Housing Pilot Program, FAS helped Mississippi procure the largest single order of modular housing units ($288 Million for 5000 units). All housing units were dual certified (HUD code and ICC), and beat Energy-Star standards.
