Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Welcome to our witnesses today.
We've learned, of course, that in the realm of science and technology, the internal or the intramural part of S and T within government tags at about $2.2 billion. It's a pretty major investment on the part of the government. Our study is looking at how our investments in S and T can help enable the economy and advance knowledge, obviously, and other things.
I have a few questions. First, when you're conducting research and a discovery is found--you come across science that might potentially have an ability for commercial products, with some being inadvertent--is there a protocol in place that would allow the exploration of that discovery for economic purposes? Second, can you think of any examples of how, in a practical sense, that might have happened through one of our federal labs? And finally, what recommendations would you have to consider how those types of discoveries might be furthered along the path of developments that would create some economic advantage?
Perhaps we could start with Dr. Saindon and then go to anyone else who wishes to comment.