The Council of Science is explained more fully in the later novel "Lucky Starr and the Oceans of Venus": In these days, when science really permeated all human society and culture, scientists could no longer restrict themselves to their laboratories. It was for that reason that the Council of Science had been born. Originally it was intended only as an advisory body to help the government on matters of galactic importance, where only trained scientists could have sufficient information to make intelligent decisions. More and more it had become a crime-fighting agency, a counterespionage system. Into its own hands it was drawing more and more of the threads of government.Asimov had seen the invention of nuclear energy escape the control of scientists and become the plaything of politicians who seemed blind to its dangers, which he frequently wrote about in stories such as "Hell-Fire", "Silly Asses", "Pebble in the Sky" and "The Stars, Like Dust". The Council of Science can be seen as wish-fulfillment on Asimov's (and sci-fi fans') part, as scientists in the future tilt the balance of power toward themselves and away from ignorant politicians and bureaucrats.