Loosening of science secrecy rules urged

During the eight years of the Reagan Administration, scientists and engineers became increasingly disturbed at the escalating secrecy restrictions applied to U.S. research and technology by Reagan's security watchdogs. However, the onset of relaxed relations with the Soviet Union, cultivation of China as an ally and trading partner, and the recognition that technology advances too quickly to be easily contained have resulted in the loosening of many restrictions. Still, the free exchangers think more needs to be done to open the system. One group, the Benton Foundation of Washington, D.C., is calling on President Bush to accelerate the job. A report for the foundation prepared by John Shattuck and Muriel M. Spence of Harvard University's office of government affairs, says Bush needs to establish an overall "initiative on information policy with special attention to programs on science, the economy, and national security." The foundation wants: • An executive order by Bush based on a "thorough ...