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A Radical Notion that other scientists who we think are doing chemistry—scientists working at the al titled "Disturbing Trends" in interface of chemistry and biology in mawhich I noted a number of develterials science, in nanoscience and techopments that did not seem to bode well nology—will ever accept a redefinition and for chemistry. I also asked readers to write embrace the idea that they are, in fact, C&EN to express their thoughts about chemists. And, by extension, view ACS as where our science is headed (C&EN, Oct. 11, page 5). A selection of these perceptive a natural professional home. and thought-provoking letters appears on I am beginning to wonder whether the page 6. words "chemistry" and "chemical" carry too much baggage for us ever to be successful Two themes run through many of these letters: One is that science is w in redefining them to eng compass the breadth of our evolving rapidly and chemistry often is not keeping £ science as it exists today and, pace. Another is: What took S even more important, as it you so long to notice? o develops through the 21st i century That has led me to These letters are but one a radical notion: Perhaps it indication of the passion is time to change the name ACS members have for of the American Chemical chemistry and the amount Society to better reflect who, ofthought they have focused in fact, we really are. on chemistry's future. The That's right, change the future of ACS, of course, is name of ACS. To what? Here very much wrapped up in the is one suggestion: Society for future of the chemical en- Is she a chemist? ~~~~ Molecular Sciences & Engiterprise, and many individu——als in ACS governance and on the ACS staff neering. This name reflects the fact that we are considering how the society should poare not really an American organization anysition itself in this rapidly evolving envimore, we are a global society serving a globronment. In her first year as ACS executive al science. About 60% of the papers pubdirector and CEO, Madeleine Jacobs has lished in ACS journals this year will be from focused intensely on the "value proposinon-U.S. authors. More than 50% of the tion" ACS offers members and how that society's revenues come from sales outside value proposition can be increased and the U.S. broadened to attract new members. More important, "Molecular Sciences & Engineering" conveys a much broader The desire to attract new members, essweep of scientific and technological enpecially young scientists, led to a key comdeavor than does "Chemical."The Society ponent of the ACS Strategic Plan for for Molecular Sciences & Engineering 2 0 0 4 - 0 6 : "Changing the definition of would offer a welcoming home to a wide chemistry to encompass its true multidisrange of scientists who are practicing chemciplinary nature." The plan states that istry or using chemistry to probe living sys'ACS, working at all levels of the organitems or build materials with precisely enzation, will redefine chemistry to include gineered properties, including those who the multidisciplinary fields in which chemjust don't see themselves as "chemists." istry and chemical engineering play enabling roles and broaden the range of sciChanging the name of ACS is not a step entists and engineers who self-identify as that should be taken lightly There is no chemical practitioners." question that we would lose something dear to us if we were to change the name As I have talked over the past few of ACS. However, it is possible that we months to a variety of people who care would gain even more, a new identity that about ACS and about chemistry—includmore accurately reflects the enterprise in ing members of ACS governance, leaders of the society's technical divisions, ACS staff which we are engaged. Thanks for reading. members, prominent academic chemists, and industry leaders—I have begun to wonder whether the redefinition of chemistry envisioned in the ACS Strategic Plan is reEditor-in-chief ally possible. Possible, that is, in the sense
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