Scrutinizes the fundamental myths that have guided the formulation of science policy for half a century myths that serve the professional and political interests of the scientific community, but often fail to advance the interests of society as a whole.

Preface 1. The End of the Age of Physics Science and Technology Policy * Policy Goals and Policy Myths * Beyond the Age of Physics: Science, Technology, and Reality 2. The Myth of Infinite Benefit 3. The Myth of Unfettered Research External Fetters: Teapot in a Tempest * Internal Fetters: The Maleness of the System * Unfettered Reality 4. The Myth of Accountability 5. The Myth of Authoritativeness DNA Fingerprinting: Disorder in the Court * Global Climate Change: An Atmosphere of Uncertainty * Stratospheric Ozone Depletion: Getting It Right (by Accident) * Authoritative Politics 6. The Myth of the Endless Frontier Endless Frontier, Finite Earth * Moral Science 7. Pas de Trois: Science, Technology, and the Marketplace The Sound of Invisible Hands Clapping * Nobody's Partner 8. Science as a Surrogate for Social Action Sickness Care * The Best Defense * Tailoring People to Taste 9. Toward a New Mythology Five Policy Suggestions * 1. Expanding Diversity * 2. Integrating the Human Element * 3. Honest Brokers * 4. Introducing Democracy * 5. The Global R&D Community * The Search for Ellipses Notes Index

"This is a period of change and challenge for our science and technology enterprise. This book provides invaluable insight into the origins of that change and examines ways to turn the challenge into opportunity. For those seeking fresh perspectives on modern science policy, Frontiers of Illusion should be a part of your library. For those in the science and technology community seeking to survive these tumultuous times, Frontiers of Illusion is essential reading." -Congressman George E. Brown, Jr. "Daniel Sarewitz has written a well-informed and incisive description and analysis of the mythos by which science policy is guided, and has shown how these self-serving illusions limit and distort the contributions of scientists to the common good. Highly recommended!" -Herman E. Daly, School of Public Affairs, University of Maryland, author of Steady-State Economics "...Sarewitz's book, which is clearly written and cogently argued, will be useful to specialists as a thought-provoking, if not historically textured, treatise on postwar science policy and to students as an introduction to some of the major issues in the recent debate on the topic." -Isis