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ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY B L I S H E D BY T H E A M E R I C A N C H E M I C A L S O C I E T Y W A L T E R J. M U R P H Y , E D I T O R
Our Stake in Fundamental Research HE dramatic story of the atom bomb brings home to T informed Americans the startling and thoroughly disturbing fact that large proportion of the advances in pure
a or fundamental research, not only in physics, but in biology, chemistry, medicine, and in practically every field of science, has been made by citizens of other countries. Comparison with any one other country will indicate that the United States has played a very significant role in the forward march of science, but when the rest of the world is lumped together, we find t h a t the contributions in pure science coming out of our research institutions compare unfavorably in number with the total reported in the scientific journals devoted t o the fundamental sciences. K h e n we consider advances in applied and industrial research, the opposite is true-America is in a most enviable position. There must be reasons why the United States lags, so to speak, in fundamental research and excels in the practical application of basic scientific principles. Some explain this phenomenon by saying that i t is wholly a matter of temperament, that Americans are more practical minded, seek immediate and tangible results, are more gadget conscious, and more interested in the profit motive. Such an indictment, if i t be a n indictment, may ne11 be true, but it is not the complete explanation. The period when the pure scientist labored incessantly and unceasingly solely for the love of science, unmindful and uninteres~edin the material things of life, is past, if indeed it ever existed other than in fiction. True, in the past there have been men and women who have made notable discoveries and have cared little or nothing about remuneration other than that obtained from the satisfaction of knowing that they have contributzd to the advancement of the sum total of the world’s scientific progress. I n the future, too, there will be men and women motivated solely by these lofty ideals, who will feel that recognition by their contemporaries as outstanding geniuses is entirely satisfactory compensation, but, as it has been in the past so will i t be in the future-the number of such individuals will constitute but a very small minority. The wife of the scientist is as desirous of a nice home, a fur coat, a n expensive automobile as is the wife of the banker, manufacturer, lawyer, or doctor. The scientist is as keen t o see his children receive the benefits of a good education as is his neighbor. The main reason we do not develop more top-flight scientists in fundamental research is not that our young men and I\ omen do not possess the necessary qualifications nor that they do not desire to follow such paths, but that the practical reFTard-the monetary return-is uncertain. Many do, of course, receive satisfactory remuneration and recognition, but the number is relatively small. America must awaken to the danger inherent in such a situation. Unless quick progress is registered in the establishment of a United Sations Organization, or some such organization a t the international level which guarantees the
future peace of the world, research inevitably will be forced to go behind closed doors. I n this day and age science and warfare are so intimately wedded that, unless the possibility of war is eliminated entirely, the free exchange of scientific information will be stopped abruptly by the military. If, unhappily, the trend of future events is in the direction of war, America will no longer have full access to the fundamental research of the scientists of other nations, but will have to depend solely upon its onn efforts for the basic contributions that always precede the development of practical applications. Khether the future history of the world is one of permanent peace or frequent and violent struggles of one group of nations against another group, America must understand the importance of fostering fundamental research on a much greater scale than heretofore. Bush, Conant, and many others have called attention t o this problem again and again. Encouraging signs indicate that we are aware of the necessity of doing something practical. Several plans for the establishment of a National Science Foundation by the Federal Government are before Congress. One phase of this work would call for federal support of capable and deserving students. Other organizations, including the AMERICAN CHEMICALSOCIETY,are making money available for a limited number of students in predoctoral and postdoctoral courses; many industrial concerns are likewise devoting considerable sums for scholarships of one kind or another. Our armed forces are now fully cognizant of the necessity of supporting in a major way both applied and fundamental research programs. I n the aggregate, however, n-e do not have enough money available to assist a sufficient number of students, nor have \ve as y e t created in this country enough organizations devoted solely to the pursuit of fundamental scientific knowledge. When we do all these things n e still will not have guaranteed the future success of a broad plan of research in fundamental science. Correspondent Eddy Gilniore, recently returned from Russia. reports that heavy emphasis-heavier than on any other single field-is being placed on science in Russia. “Always respected,” he goes on to tell us, “scientists now have been raised several stations beyond any position they’ve ever enjoyed.” They are, in his words, “on a level with the top brackets.” The Russian Government is building new laboratories, is finding new equipment, is giving them the green light they need. “ I n fact,” says he, “whatever scientists want they can have for the asking.” American scientists, both those engaged in fundamental and in applied research, do not ask to be pampered, to be set apart, to be recognized as a special class, but they do seek a reasonable amount of remuneration and recognition, commensurate with the contributions they make to the general welfare of the country. It is just good common sense, Indeed, i t is imperative that they receive their just rewards. Otherwise the future of the country is dark and uncertain. 665
