An Ungovernable Foe: Science and Policy Innovation in the U.S. National Cancer Institute

The U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI) is a government research institute that has developed expertise in virus research and vaccine development to understand and eradicate cancer. Natalie B. Aviles' book, An Ungovernable Foe, examines seventy years of federally funded scientific breakthroughs in the NCI's laboratories to show how bureaucratic organizations nurture innovation. She argues that the NCI transformed generations of researchers into innovative public servants who have developed an unparalleled expertise in balancing their scientific and bureaucratic missions.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 360 pages
Publication date: 23 January 2024
Publisher: Columbia University Press

In the realm of American politics, the realm of medical innovation is often perceived as the exclusive domain of the private sector. However, it is worth noting that some of the most significant scientific and health breakthroughs of the past century have emerged from government research institutes. One such example is the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI), which is entrusted with the dual mission of understanding and eradicating cancer. The NCI's researchers have demonstrated a remarkable expertise in the fields of virus research and vaccine development, which has been instrumental in shaping the course of cancer research and treatment.

An Ungovernable Foe delves into seventy years of federally funded scientific breakthroughs conducted within the laboratories of the NCI. This book aims to shed new light on how bureaucratic organizations nurture innovation. Natalie B. Aviles, the author, conducts a comprehensive analysis of research and policy efforts surrounding the search for a viral cause of leukemia in the 1960s, the discovery of HIV and the development of AIDS drugs in the 1980s, and the invention of the HPV vaccine in the 1990s. Through her analysis, Aviles argues that the NCI has played a pivotal role in transforming generations of researchers into innovative public servants who have learned to balance their scientific and bureaucratic missions.

These "scientist-bureaucrats" are simultaneously committed to conducting cutting-edge research and stewarding the nation's investment in cancer research. As a result, they have developed an unparalleled expertise in their respective fields. Aviles demonstrates how the interplay of science, politics, and administration shaped the NCI into a mission-oriented agency that has enabled significant breakthroughs in cancer research. In addition, she highlights how organizational cultures have indelibly stamped scientific work, shaping the trajectory of medical innovation and progress.

In conclusion, An Ungovernable Foe offers a valuable perspective on the role of government research institutes in fostering medical innovation. By examining the NCI's seventy-year history, the book sheds light on the ways in which bureaucratic organizations can nurture innovation and drive scientific progress. It serves as a reminder that government investment in research can lead to transformative outcomes that benefit society as a whole.

Weight: 552g
Dimension: 156 x 234 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231196697