A RECENT report could throw open the portals of the us research and development (R&D) industry to let in foreign talents. A committee of the National Academy of Engineering has recommended that the government should avoid limiting foreign access to the nation's R&D efforts except when such participation poses a clear threat to national security. The committee said in its report that there was insufficient evidence to confirm the concern over possible negative effects of foreign participation in US R&D. Acknowledging the benefits of direct foreign investment, the report revealed that in 1992 alone, the us affiliates of foreign-owned firms spent us $13.7 billion on R&D and provided 104,500 research jobs. On the other hand, the foreign firms gain better access to us scientific and technical expertise.