EDITORIAL
The Chemical Industry Before the Public The next 12 months probably will show why more attention is needed to public understanding
en. John E. Hull, retiring as president of the Manufacturing Chemists' Association, offered some good advice to the chemical industry (C&EN, June 10, page 26). He said that it should concentrate on improving communications with Government and with the public. It is not the first time Gen. Hull has emphasized this. The wisdom of his point of view is becoming more and more apparent. The chemical industry has contributed a great deal both to our economy and to our way of living. But public attention now is focusing on the problems and less favorable aspects rather than on the positive contributions. By force of widespread opinion, the chemical industry is likely to have some frustrating experiences during the next few months. However, it is folly to consider today's situation as merely something difficult and unfortunate which if cleared up will then remain cleared. Quite the contrary is to be expected. The great increase of scientific research during the past decade, if it has been successful to any degree, has laid a base for an expanding technology. As new developments come along, reactions and problems must be expected. Many of them should be predicted. To refuse to dignify them with attention will not provide a constructive approach. The very products and services which have yielded some unfortunate side effects are products the public uses, wants, and will not wish to give up. The public will expect the Government to take care of controlling these side effects. The Government will be in the position of the
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highway patrolman whose job it is to try to protect people from themselves. While serious work will be called for in solving some of today's problems, now is the time to begin dealing with the predictable problems of the future. The United States is a country of youth. It will become more so. We have an unprecedented number of people who have been through college, and the trend in the numbers is upward. The intellectual atmosphere in the college and university is based on a philosophy somewhat different from that of business and industry. The fact that the best aspects of the profit system can be tarnished by the greedy or dishonest should not be allowed to overshadow its accomplishments which should be presented with pride rather than apology. The fact that there are social costs involved in technological progress should not suggest that we turn away from it rather than openly attack the problems and reduce those costs. A major program on the part of industry for more direct, open discussion with their academic counterparts, including the study of mistakes and problems, would give not only a more understanding and cooperative public, but a generation better equipped to cope with the difficulties of a culture becoming rapidly more technological.
JUNE
17,
1963
C&EN
7
