EDITORIAL
Involvement of the chemist We have generated a technological genie and it is up to all of us to take a hand in controlling him s we reach the end of the 60's, it has become increasingly apparent that our world problems, if not insoluble, at least seem more formidable than at the beginning of the decade. A certain malaise has displaced the hope of 10 years ago. It is also apparent, now, that science and technology, far from being a cure-all, have contributed to some of our ills and could eventually threaten our whole fabric of life. In our science and technology we have uncorked a genie that has grown to such proportions we aren't quite sure how to corral him—or even if we can. All of us—scientist and layman alike—have had a part in mixing the brew that has spawned this spirit which now pervades our lives. But it seems reasonable that scientists and engineers deserve special credit or blame, as the case may be. And it seems reasonable that scientists and engineers should be especially active in trying to understand, control, and make use of this genie. Chemists in particular should feel involved and responsible. For chemistry as a science and the basis of an industry reaches into the farthest recesses of our world system—from the microworld of genetics to the macro-world of our atmosphere and beyond. And yet, some of us would somehow try to separate the chemical world from the larger world of men, politics, and society in general, as if you could distill one from the other. At least that's how we read some of the mail we have been getting lately. Don't let our scientific society get involved. Keep it pure. Write "objective" editorials (whatever they are). Two letter writers listed the Sept. 15 cover showing a guitar-playing Harry Gray as one reason for resigning from the Society. Where did this notion that chemistry could stand apart from the world around it originate? Early on, men tried to harness chemistry. Some 30,000 years ago, he used chemical technology to produce the colors that went into the cave paintings of Altamira. And since the days when man first played with fire, he has been tampering with
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his environment in a chemical way. In fact, Alton Blakeslee, AP's science editor, somewhat wryly suggests that the human race is a virus that is chewing up the earth and its environs and is now reaching out to destroy the moon. There may have been a time when chemists could do chemistry for the sake of chemistry. But it's doubtful that we can afford that luxury now. Look at some of the political events of the past decade and see how much chemistry was involved. Space shots, military rocketry, satellites, napalm, tear gas, CBW, defoliants—all tie into chemistry. So much for politics and policy as distinct from chemistry and science. How about chemistry and science as distinct from politics and policy? Cyclamate—originally almost a laboratory curiosity when first tasted by Michael Sveda in 1937—now an issue. DDT, originally considered a boon, now partially banned. Pollutants—all of them chemical, some of them produced by the chemical industry, all involve a chemical solution in their elimination. Birth control pills—a product of chemistry but now a first rank political and moral question. How about "pure" science? We all know where atomic physics and chemistry have led us. And what of recent work in molecular biology and the isolation of a gene ( C&EN, Dec. 1, page 11)? It's terrifying to contemplate the brave new world that might lead to. There is a legitimate role to be played by ACS as well as by other technical societies in giving information so that political decisions can better be made. One correspondent says: "There is a middle course. One need not have to favor a technical society engaging in overt political activity in order to recognize that technical societies do have a responsibility to outside communities in advising . . . ."
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C&EN editorials are signed and represent only the views of the signer. Unless stated to the contrary they do not represent the official position of the American Chemical Society. Eather they are aimed at focusing attention on some controveisial point, at sparking intelligent discussion, at raising legitimate questions.
DEC. 15, 1969 C&EN
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