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Pentagon Proposes Restrictions on Foreign Scientists
By Gwendolyn Bradley
The U.S. Department of Defense in July proposed new restrictions on foreign researchers who work with technology that could affect national security. The most controversial provision would require foreign scientists to wear badges; in response to criticisms, Defense Department spokespeople have said it will likely be dropped. Another provision would require laboratories to provide segregated work areas to control the scientists’ access to the technology.
Many science and academic groups object to both the Defense Department proposals and similar proposals made by the Commerce Department in March. Both would place unwieldy and costly requirements on many foreign scientists whose work is not particularly sensitive (see “Licensing Proposal Threatens U.S. Research” in the July–August issue). In an August letter to the Department of Defense, the Association of American Universities wrote that the proposal could significantly and adversely affect the ability of research universities to conduct vital research. By not recognizing “the open and public nature of university fundamental research,” the association said, the regulation could weaken the partnership between defense agencies and U.S. universities. The AAUP submitted comments in October that similarly opposed the Pentagon proposal.
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