Ms. Tsai said that the advance-approval rule will apply only to people with extensive knowledge of important secrets involving military technology, government-financed research or certain "core technologies" in the private sector.

The device is based on a high-powered laser Battelle acquired in the late 1970's for government-financed research on fusion energy.

Among other measures, he wants laws changed so that foreign corporations are allowed to participate in government-financed joint research.

Sensible enough, but as more and more information enters private hands - databases, photo collections, even government-financed scientific research - the free exchange of ideas can be stifled.

American companies have a distinct advantage in benefiting from government-financed research, even though there are crumbs (some quite large) that those around the world can pick up.

Political decisions could skew government-financed research, misallocating investment.

Some discoveries grow out of government-financed research aimed at improving human health.

His investigations helped force the resignation of the president of Stanford University, which spent more than $20 million to respond to his queries on its billing for government-financed research.

Even where political consensus can be reached, government-financed research is enormously wasteful and bureaucratic.

The Europeans argued that negotiations should include what they consider equally egregious support totaling as much as $23 billion in government-financed research and development as well as tax relief.