New challenge or the past revisited

摘要: Abstract Recent opposition to the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) revives concerns raised when this office was first proposed. Then, as now, members Congress were concerned that OTA might duplicate functions other agencies. Although original concept technology assessment came out a desire better control negative technological impacts on environment, most important factor in establishing part for technical advice independent executive branch. Accordingly, has retained rather tight control, making more an information agency responds congressional requests than early-warning or technology-monitoring mechanism. As review its historical development can indicate, further limitations imposed would undermine last vestiges concept, whereas eliminating have implications future executive-legislative relations.