New technologies also improve the quality of our lives. Medical research in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and medical devices promises us a healthier life. Environmental research offers cleaner air, water, and soil through better monitoring, prevention, and remediation technologies. Agricultural research yields a cornucopia of safer, healthier, and tastier food products. Automobile research leads to cars that are safer, cleaner, more energy-efficient, and more intelligent.
Energy research delivers cleaner fuels and reduces American dependence on foreign resources.
Information and telecommunications technologies enable instantaneous communications across the globe. These investments will ensure that science and technology will continue to fuel economic growth and allow Americans to lead longer, healthier lives. These investments also will enable America to continue to lead in the 21st century by increasing support in all scientific and engineering disciplines, including biomedical research, nanotechnology, information technology, clean energy, and university-based research. Fully half of our economic productivity in the last century is attributable to technological innovation and the scientific research that supported it. The knowledge-based society of the 21st century only increases the importance of research, innovation, and human capital as our principal strengths.