The National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (NAS) was established in 1863 by the U.S. Congress. Under the terms of its charter, signed by President Abraham Lincoln, The Academy shall, whenever called upon by any department of the Government, investigate, examine, experiment, and report upon any subject of science or art, the actual expense of such investigations, examinations, experiments, and reports to be paid from appropriations which may be made for the purpose, but the Academy shall receive no compensation whatever for any services to the Government of the United States. The charter stipulates virtually complete autonomy for the Academy, including freedom to elect its members and establish its own policies and procedures. Independence of the Academy is reinforced by the stipulation that, apart from reimbursement of the actual costs of studies it undertakes on behalf of the government, it receives no government subsidy.

The National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (NAS) was established in 1863 by the U.S. Congress. Under the terms of its charter, signed by President Abraham Lincoln, The Academy shall, whenever called upon by any department of the Government, investigate, examine, experiment, and...