wide spectrum of consequences: operation of enterprises-users of water {water supply mains), pisciculture, flora and fauna of coastal regions, use of water basins for recreation etc. There also exist methods of assessment of diverted damage and Its comparison with reduced costs by variants which makes It possible to carry out their evaluation and selection. Even such a short survey of problems and approaches to their solution In the field of assessment of socio-economic effects of SandT progress shows how complicated they are and how Important It Is to find their solution. Among these problems one may also cite the problems of forecasting and assessing the Impact produced by SandT development on medicine and public health. human psychology, demography, pedagogy, culture. pol ltlcs, International relations and many other fields. As a rule these problems are being tackled by the corresponding academic or branch scientific research Institutes and organizations. The major work In the field of forecasting and assessment of socio-economic effects of S and T progress Is being carried out by the Sociology research Institute of the USSR Academy of Sciences, the Institute of Economics of the USSR State Committee on Sclen~e and Technology and the USSR Academy of Sciences, the Central economic-mathematical Institute of the USSR Academy of Sciences as well as by a number of branch Institutes. One might cite qulte a number of Institutes engaged In forecasting and soclo-e~onomlc assessment of S and T development In the most Important fields. Among them are the Institute of medico-biological problems and the Institute of plant and animal ecology which are engaged In medico-biological forecasting. The 23-1 .343 coordination of research programmes In this field Is carried out by the Scientific council on biosphere problems of the USSR Academy of Sciences which also coordinates research in the field 
**Analysis**
The text primarily discusses the socio-economic effects of SandT (Science and Technology) progress, including its impact on various aspects of society, such as medicine, public health, human psychology, demography, pedagogy, culture, and politics. It also mentions the use of water resources, pisciculture, and recreation, indicating a connection to natural resources and environment. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of forecasting and assessing the effects of SandT development, which suggests a focus on the broader implications of scientific and technological advancements.

**Category**
Natural resources and environment, Science and technology