In 1986 the government founded an institute that was given the specific task to research these kind of questions. This institute was called the Nederlandse Organisatie voor Technologisch Aspectenonderzoek, now called the Rathenau Instituut. The Rathenau Instituut supports the formation of public and political opinion on socially relevant aspects of science and technology. It conducts research on this subject and organises debates on science, innovation, and new technology.
