[News] Cloning Discovery Requires Debate, Says Lane - Tipsheet

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Title : Cloning Discovery Requires Debate, Says Lane - Tipsheet
Type : News
NSF Org: OD / LPA
Date : April 25, 1997
File : tip70425

April 25, 1997

For more information on these science news and feature story
tips, please contact the public information officer at the end of
each item at (703) 306-1070. Editor: Bill Noxon

CLONING DISCOVERY REQUIRES DEBATE, SAYS LANE

The new-found capability to clone a mature sheep demands
extensive public discussion and debate, according to NSF Director
Neal Lane. However, that debate may not be possible given the
current level of science literacy, he said.
Speaking at a National Press Club luncheon April 22, Lane used
the recent scientific breakthrough as a vehicle to highlight the
need for increased public knowledge of - and involvement in
science issues. He also repeated his call to scientists and
engineers to become more involved with their communities.
"The American public does not have good grounding for the
imminent debate about cloning," said Lane. Meanwhile, scientists
and engineers lack grounding in conversing with the public about
science and its implications, he added. "As a civilization, we
cannot afford for this situation to continue." Lane downplayed
concerns that the public may not be able to understand the
complexities of science and technology. "I am not convinced that
science and technological literacy, or the ability to make
judgments about science and technology, depends on specific
detailed knowledge. _ What is needed is the ability to probe, to
question, to grasp concepts and to develop some confidence in the
consensus that forms."
Acknowledging the controversy surrounding potential uses of
the new cloning ability, Lane nonetheless called for a full
discussion of the possibilities. "Let us not be naysayers about
new knowledge, nor timid about technology. Stopping that process
(of civilization) is not an option, but we must direct it, as
best we can, always toward beneficial ends." [Mary Hanson] For
the full speech text, see:
http://www.nsf.gov/olpa/forum/lane/nl497npc.htm

CALIFORNIA EARTHQUAKE CENTER FUNDING RENEWED, INCREASING
PROTECTION OF LIVES, PROPERTY

A region that's the site of intense, continuing earthquake
activity, and is also home to some 15 million people, needs all
the scientific assistance it can get. Toward that end, the
National Science Foundation has renewed funding for the Southern
California Earthquake Center (SCEC) through the year 2002.
Headquartered at the University of Southern California, SCEC is
an NSF Science and Technology Center that coordinates research on
seismic hazards in the 25,000-squaremile area between the
Tehachapi Mountains and the Mexican border, and from the Pacific
Ocean to the Colorado River.
The center focuses on collecting data and developing
scientific methods that can be used to protect life and property
against earthquakes in this seismically active region, says Tom
Henyey, director of SCEC.
Under the terms of the agreement, SCEC will receive
approximately $3 million in funding per year for five years,
through 2002. "Our goal is to identify those areas in southern
California that are particularly susceptible to earthquake
damage," says David Jackson, science director of SCEC. "We will
provide the scientific basis for earthquake hazard estimates."
SCEC's primary objective is to develop a "master model" of
future earthquake occurrences and ground-shaking in southern
California by gathering, evaluating, and integrating earth
science data from a wide variety of sources. Says Henyey, "We
want to be able to provide improved forecasts of the earthquake
hazard facing our study area over the next few decades."
[Cheryl Dybas]

SEAL STUDIES YIELD GREAT LIP SERVICE

The next time you start your car, gaze up at a streaking jet
or use any machine that works with hydraulics, purse your lips.
That's more or less the action of seals that hold fluid in engine
crankshafts, transmissions, wheel assemblies, axle pinions and
power steering systems to keep parts lubricated and moving for
smooth, reliable operation.
Almost every machine and appliance with fluid and a rotating
shaft contains a "lip" seal that looks and works just as it
sounds.
Richard Salant, a mechanical engineer at Georgia Institute of
Technology, is working to develop better tools to analyze and
redesign these vital seals for more reliable, durable
performance. He has created mathematical models to analyze air
pockets that pepper the complex microlandscape of lubricating
films on the surface of seals, and can calculate the maximum
pressure a seal can contain.
Jorn Larsen-Basse, who directs NSF's Surface Engineering &
Tribology Program, says Salant's research has led to seals which
have greatly helped reduce the environmental hazard of leaking
oil from cars and machinery. Winner of the American Society of
Mechanical Engineers' 1996 Henry R. Worthington Medal for his
accomplishments and their potential benefits to industry, Salant
credits two NSF grants which enabled him to perform much of the
work that won the medal. [George Chartier]

-NSF-

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