ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
EDITORIAL
July 1961, Vol. 33,No. 8 APPLIED JOURNALS, ACS Director of Publications, C. B. Lamabee Editorial Director, Richard L. Kenyon Aseislant to the Director of Publications, Joseph H. Kuney Assistant to the Editorial Director, Rodney N. Hader Director of Editorial Research, Robert F. Gould
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY Editor, LAWRENCE T.HALL~IT Managing Editor, ROBERT G. GIB=
EDITORIAL HEADQUARTERS WASHINGTON 6,D. C. 1166 Sixteenth St., N.W. Phone REpublic 7-3337 Teletype WA 23 Associate Editora: G. Gladys Gordon, Stella Anderson, Katherine 1. Bigga, Sue M. Solliday, Ruth Reynard Assistant Editora: Robert J. Kelley, Malvina €Leater I. Editorial Assistants: Katherine H. Ginnane, Virginia E. Stewart, Lorraine M.Bertuzzi Layout and Pmdmtion: Joseph Jacobs (Art Director), Melvin D. Buckner, Betty V. Kieffer, John V. Sinnett Editorial Reference: Barbara A. Gallagher
BRANCH EDITORIAL OFFICES CHICAGO 3,ILL. Room 926,36 South Wabaah Ave. Phone STate 2-6148 Teletype CG 726 Associote Editor in Charge: Arthur Poulos HOUSTON 2, TEX 1121 Walker St. Phone FAirfax 3-7107 Teletype HO 72 Associate Editor in Charge: Bruce F. Greek NEW YORK 17,N. Y. 753 Third Am. Phone T N 7-3161 Teletype NY 1-4726 Associate Editor in Charge: William Q. Hull SAN FRANCISCO 4,CALIF. 703 Mechanics’ Institute Bldg., 67 Post St. Phone EXbrook 2-2896 Teletype 8F 649 Associate Editor in Charge: Richard 0. Newhall EASTON, PA. 20th and Northampton Sta Phone BLackburn 8-9111 Teletype ESTN Pa 7048 Asaociak Editor: Charlotte C . Sayre Assiatunt Editor: Elizabeth R. Rufo
,
EUROPEAN OFFICE 77 South Audley St., London W.1 Phone Hyde Park 4760 Cable JIECHEM Associate Editor i n Charge: David E. Guahee Contributing Editor: R. H. MWer A d v k r y Board: F. E. Beamiah, C. E. Bricker, D. D. DeFord, E. C. Dunlop, C. L. Luke, W.J. Mader, H. V. Malmstadt, W.B. Mason,F.W.Mitchell,Jr., M.L.Mom, N.H. Nachhleb, L. B. Rogers, E. F. Scribm, Bldney Siggia, F. H.Stmm Advertuing Management REINHOLD PUBLISHING CORP. (For Branch 05- me page 124 A)
Basic Research Erosio’n I for space and military research and N THE WELTER OF HUGE BUDGETS
the direct participation of our universities in such programs, basic research is suffering serious erosion. There is a growing feeling that in many of our research centersacademic, nonprofit, industrial-the pressures to excel in technology for political and military reasons are strangling true basic research which contributes to human knowledge concerning man’s environment and to an understanding of natural laws. To the dedicated scientist, basic research is an ennobling experience in itself. Even though others may later develop many applications from his discoveries, the research scientist does not need practical application possibilities as an incentive. Much research today is based on the team concept. If past experience is any indication, this type of research does not produce truly fundamental advances; most of these arise from a single scientist or a very small group of creative, dedicated scientists. The contributions to the field of gas chromatography, for example, by Martin and Golay, illustrate the major contributions made with limited equipment but unusually perceptive minds. The climate surrounding science today is not conducive to basic discoveries. The prestige and financial support being given to creative men to solve specific technological problems are diverting these scientists from true basic research. Pressures exerted on these men often force them into becoming administrators and result in scientific performance below their ability. It is the loss of the creative abilities of these talented men that disturbs many of us and leads us to issue a plea t o those who are in a position to slow up or stop thib trend to do so. If not, the men and institutions where such work can be done will be lost. The many facets of this problem were explored in detail by a group of outstanding scientists a t a symposium held in 1959. This was sponsored by the National Academy of Sciences, American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. The transcript appears in a book published by the AAAS entitled “Symposium on Basic Research Publication No. 56.” Those interested in this problem should read this report.
e VOL. 33, NO. 8, JULY 1961
o
977
