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US contemplates licence for foreign scientists
In future, foreigners including Indians may need licence to operate 'sensitive' tools in US labs, writes S Rajagopalan.
Scientists from India and other foreign countries may be required to obtain a licence from the United States government for operating equipment connected with "controlled technologies" in American universities and research laboratories.
The Department of Commerce (DOC) has been contemplating changes to rules for the purpose, but is still to take a final decision, says a report in the latest issue of Nature.
But the reported moves have already caused considerable unease among the research community.
So much so, the America’s national academies are planning to hold a workshop this week to voice their concern.
If the DOC goes ahead with the proposed modifications to its export rules, researchers from a list of countries including India, Pakistan, China and Russia may need a licence to operate "controlled" equipment in US labs.
Rules are already in place for foreign scientists working in industrial labs, but the DOC's Office of Inspector General wants the regulations to be extended to academic labs as well.
It also favours applying the rules on the basis of a researcher's country of birth rather than country of citizenship.
In response to the moves, the American Physical Society has warned that the proposed changes could derail US research.
Dan Mote, president of the University of Maryland, has expressed the view that the proposals, if implemented, could "just bring work to a halt".
"What we are doing is seeking input," DOC's assistant secretary for export administration Peter Lichtenbaum has been quoted as telling Nature.
The last day for the universities, academies and others to file their comments is May 27.
The DOC will take a final decision on the subject thereafter.
