NONMILITARY DEFENSE
Downloaded by 80.82.77.83 on May 25, 2018 | https://pubs.acs.org Publication Date: January 1, 1960 | doi: 10.1021/ba-1960-0026.fw001
Chemical and Biological Defenses in Perspective
A collection of papers comprising the Symposium on Nonmilitary Defense, presented before the Division of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry in participation with the Special Board Committee on Civil Defense, at the 137th Meeting of the American Chemical Society, Cleveland, Ohio, April 1960
Number 26 of the Advances in Chemistry Series Edited by the staff of the ACS Applied Publications Published July 1960 A M E R I C A N CHEMICAL SOCIETY 1155 Sixteenth St., N.W. Washington 6, D. C.
NONMILITARY DEFENSE Advances in Chemistry; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 1960.
Downloaded by 80.82.77.83 on May 25, 2018 | https://pubs.acs.org Publication Date: January 1, 1960 | doi: 10.1021/ba-1960-0026.fw001
Copyright 1960 by AMERICAN
C H E M I C A L SOCIETY
All Rights Reserved
NONMILITARY DEFENSE Advances in Chemistry; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 1960.
End the Apathy on Civil Defense
Downloaded by 80.82.77.83 on May 25, 2018 | https://pubs.acs.org Publication Date: January 1, 1960 | doi: 10.1021/ba-1960-0026.fw001
Preparation is needed immediately for something we hope will never happen D uring the past few years the A C S Board of Directors' Special Committee on C i v i l Defense has been quietly but effectively at work. I t has been pointing toward bringing informed scientific as well as public attention to the problems of defense against chemical and biological war ( C W - B W ) . While the background work has been going on the public has, as a speaker recently said, seethed with apathy. A t the Cleveland A C S meeting the work of the A C S committee reached a climax with a symposium on the subject of C W - B W defense. Certainly i t focused specialized attention and provided accurate information. I t appears to have stirred the public somewhat. W e hope the apathy does not return. The mere mention of C W - B W defense brings a shudder. I t arouses the feeling that if we are to show ourselves moral we should have nothing to do with research i n this field. Naturally we would prefer not even having to think of such things. B u t they exist. W e can no more turn our back on their existence than we can on crime, vice, or other practices that spring from the less admirable characteristics of human beings. Overly dramatic talk or an emotional approach to even the defensive aspects of C W - B W could raise a reactionary panic. A most effective step toward prevention of such panic is a calm presentation of well documented information. Also, we must make clear that our emphasis is on defense. This is a military matter and i n preparing our defenses we must get i t i n that perspective. I t is a hideous matter. B u t we know the attitude taken by our predictable enemies toward human life. History shows we cannot expect them to hesitate at any act that would help them gain their goal. Hasty and ill-informed demands for action as exemplified by the telegram from several Congressmen excite fears which paralyze constructive work. B u t accurate and factual answers can keep our energies directed on the proper track. Total separation of the defensive from the offensive is not i n the best interests of the defensive effort. C W - B W materials are the products of scientific research. Research can bring the best counter measures. A s the offensive nature and action of these materials and techniques are better understood, a better job can be done on defensive measures. A development of civil defense programs such as suggested during the symposium shows clearly a defensive rather than offensive philosophy. I t is a concrete demonstration not of aggressive intent but of our assuming responsibility to our families, our neighbors, and ourselves. Less apathy and more public support for a sound civil defense program will meet our moral responsibilities better than will withdrawal i n horror.
NONMILITARY DEFENSE Advances in Chemistry; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 1960.
