"The impact of science and technology on EU policy: Today many of the issues coming before the European Parliament have a scientific or technological dimension to them. Technological and scientific advances lie at the heart of economic growth, and it is necessary to both to understand how to support scientific and technological innovation and to understand the impact of these technologies. Some issues directly relate to our research and development policies, and the structures that need to be put in place for a technology to become widespread. Others focus on the impact on society and the environment."