As the last section revealed, Congress utilizes many sources of S&T advice that were originally designed and used primarily by the executive branch—the NRC is one example. However, congressional needs for S&T advice as historically provided by the options described above differ in significant ways from the needs of executive agencies. Congressional needs may vary significantly by subject area as well. For example, executive agency needs typically involve much more detailed analysis of specific dimensions of S&T research, commercialization, deployment, impact and other features while less so attempting to integrate across the "physical, biological, economic, social, and political effects of technology applications" (from OTA's charter).
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