The Policy of Microbiology

The American Society for Microbiology (ASM) began in 1899 with a group of 59 bacteriologists and has expanded to nearly 40,000 members today, making it the largest single life science society. Although ASM has provided expert advice to policy makers and federal agencies for much of that history, in 1979, the Public and Scientific Affairs Board was created and formalized as the ASM board that would address scientific matters affecting the public interest. This article presents the structure and function of the board; provides examples of some of the specific issues that have been shepherded, past and present; and provides examples of some of its possible future endeavors. We also describe the board as an example of a unique career path in the microbiological sciences.