A N A LVTIC A L CHEMISTRY EDITORIAL
March 1970,Vol. 42, No. 3 Editor:
HERBERT A LAITINEN
EDITORIAL HEAD UAETERS Washingtan D.C. 20% 1155 Sixbe& St N W Phone: 202-737-3333 ‘?&type: WA 23 Managing Editor: John K. Crum Associate Editor: Virginia E. Stewart Editorial Assistants: Eugenie C. Callaghan, Sylvia Crawford C o n t r i b u t i n g Editor: Ralph H. Miill(Department of Chemistry, L o u l a n a State Umversity, Baton Rouge) PRODUCTION QTm Director of Demign: Joseph Jacob Production Manager: B a d G d e y Associate Production Manager: Charlotta
c. sayre
Art and Layout: Norman W. Favin NEW YORKO m m 733 Thud Avenue New York, N.Y. 10017 212-667-3161 Asmociate Editor: Josephine M.Petruzzi EDITORIALPRODUCTION OFFICE,E-N, PA. Ammistant Editor: Elizabeth R. Rufe ADVISORY BOARD: Norman G. Anderson, Klaus Biemann James Fritz, John F k o w .claig M&d Golay, Walter E. H a m s Joseph Jordan, W. Wayne Meinke R A. t)steryoung R L. Pecaok ‘Lee Smith: Edwin ’P. ‘Przyb lowicz Samuel M. T u t d , Jam& D. Winefordner
“rn k
AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY PUBLICATIONS Director of Publications, Richard L. Kenyon Director of Busineae Opemtio~. Joseph H. Kuney Publication Manager, Journob, David E. Gushee Executive Assistant to the Director of Publications, Rodney N. Hade? Circulation Director, Herbert C. Spencer Assistant to the Director of Pub&atWM. William Q. Hull REGIONAL EDITORIAL BUREAUS PHILADELPHIA, Pa. 19107. Plhdelphia National Bank Budding Broad & Chestnut Strests CHICAGO, Ill. 60603 36 South Wabash Ave. S A N FRANCISCO, Cali. 94104 67 Post St. LOSANGELES Cali. 90005 422 South Weat& Ave. HOUSTON Texan 77002 514 Main Bidg. 1212 Mam St. FRANKFURT/MAIN, West Gemxiany 32 Grosse BockenheimerstLONDON, W. C. 2, England 27 John Adam St. TOKYO Japan Iikura C k t r a l Building, 4th Floor 12.1ikura Kata-machi, Azabu Mmato-ku, Tokyo
In Defense of Science ALVINM. WEINBERG, Director of Oak Ridge National Laboratory, in a recent article in Science, 167,141 (1970) has thoughtfully analyzed the various types of attack being launched upon science, especially in the United States. Briefly, these can be characterized as (1) attacks upon the “politics” of science, or competitive maneuvering for scientific support, (2) criticisms against the decreasing relevance of science to current problems of society, (3) advocations for technological slowdown to alleviate detrimental side effects, and (4)the cries of the “scientific abolitionists” who maintain that the scientific-technological basis of modern civilization is wrong in principle. T o the “scientific muckrakers” Dr. Weinberg frankly responds that a political decision-making process is necessary in the absence of a market place, when choices are to be made between widely diverse scientific activities. To the pleaders for increasing relevance or slowdown, the reply is that science represents the underpinning of new technology and that there is no better cure for the ill effects of past technology than the proper application of new technology. I n answer to the annihilists, the need is not for abolishing the fruits along with the evil by-products of technology, but for deeper understanding of the relationships between technology and man in his environment. To someone who has been a part of the scientific community for several decades, it seems fantastic that science should be put on the defensive; yet the attacks cannot simply be ignored, because half truths and distortions often gain credence through constant repetition. Dr. Weinberg’s careful and critical analysis of the situation deserves careful study by us all. It is clear that we, as scientists, can no longer take for granted either approval of our goals or a high level of financial support. To a greater extent than ever before, we will be questioned sharply as to the types of benefits society can hope to expect in exchange for its supporl. Fortunately for analytical chemistry, we can readily find strong justification as a vital service to all branches of science and technology and for research and development in new methodology to keep that service abreast of changing needs.
D
R.
Advertising Management REINHOLD PUBLISHING CORP. (for Branch Offices, am page 129 A)
For submission of manuscripts, see
page4 A .
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY, VOL. 42, NO. 3, MARCH 1970,
313
