PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
ACS in a Changing EnvironmentNew Directions in 1987 Mary L. Good ACS president
"It is the best of times, it is the worst of times"—as I wrote in my position statement in September 1985. I believe that American chemistry and American chemists are at a crossroads in the evolution of the science and the profession. Recent restructuring within the chemical industry has refocused industrial chemical research away from the traditional "chemistry only" groups to stress an integrated, interdisciplinary approach to the solution of major technical problems and the development of new technologies and new products. Energy companies are reassessing their research needs and streamlining their operations to be more cost-effective and to concentrate on their core businesses. Another major employer of chemists, the pharmaceutical industry, is now highly internationalized, and new directions in drug design and biologically derived products require versatile chemists who are comfortable with computer design and biology-chemistry teams. These new directions in materials, biotechnology, specialty chemicals, and computer-assisted chemistry are essential for the continued vitality of American industry and consequently for American chemistry. The contribution to the gross national product of these chemically driven industries is enormous, and chemically derived products are the mainstay of one of the few areas where the U.S. still has a significant, positive balance of trade. These changes in the product slate and research directions of in2
January 5, 1987 C&EN
dustrial firms are better understood if placed in the context of the world at large. First, a global economy has developed where every country must compete in global markets to sustain internal growth and economic stability. The developing nations sell low-cost raw materials and commodity products where their low labor costs provide an advantage. The developed, industrialized nations compete fiercely with each other for markets for their manufactured goods and agricultural products. The issues of tariffs, trade restraints, reciprocal trade agreements, and protectionist legislation are discussed in capitals around the world. For the U.S., this climate brings to a close two major facets of American business. First, our home markets are being invaded by high-quality, low-cost products from all over the world; and second, our ability to sell competitively to global customers is eroding. Protectionist positions that were supported in the 19th century in the interest of protecting young American businesses are now being justified in terms of job preservation and the maintenance of our standard of living. The question of our international competitiveness has become a national issue, and the debate has accelerated since the early 1980s. The issues of low-cost natural resources in their countries of origin and the realities of cheap labor in the developing countries are now well understood, and the consensus has arisen that technology-based products and services are our hope for remaining a leader and major player in world markets in the next few decades. Our track record over
the past five or six years is not encouraging. In 1980, the high-tech industries produced a trade surplus of $27 billion. This surplus had dropped to $4 billion in 1985 and the estimated 1986 figures show a significant deficit. How do chemistry, the chemical industry, and the American Chemical Society respond to these changing times? What is our responsibility and opportunity in this climate? It is certainly not "business as usual." A clue to our unique position can be gleaned from a special report in the Wall Street Journal of Nov. 10,1986, entitled "Frontiers of Science—Changing the Ways YouTl Live and Work." Reporter William Bulkley picks five areas that are on the verge of potential technology breakthroughs. The five, and a descriptive example of each case are: optics—tracking satellites by lasers; biotechnology—elephantine cows, disease-free crops; space—too much Buck Rogers; artificial intelligence—a new computer opens the field; and robotics—replacing the chemist. A superficial reading of the article would create great anxieties for chemists; chemistry is not mentioned other than as replacing chemists with robots! However, a careful reading of the article changes that perspective and, I believe, points to the direction chemistry as a profession must take. Some quotes are: "Major advances in materials science, genetic engineering, catalytic science, communications, computers, and artificial intelligence are providing a foundation for changing the methods and even the kind of work people will do in 20 years."
"Advanced materials, specialty polymers, ceramics are the absolute core to advanced technologies of the future." "Genetic engineering promises faster plant development and even larger food surpluses." The theme is best summed up by the words: "Little known to consumers—who seldom think much about the materials that go into the products they use—is the revolution in materials science caused by the burgeoning understanding of molecular structures. Those structures determine how heavy products are and how long they l a s t indeed, even whether they can be produced. Instead of just mixing alloys, or discovering molecularly different materials by accident, scientists are increasingly setting out to make new materials—and are succeeding in that task." The challenge for ACS and individual chemists is to gain the recognition that chemistry, the molecular
science, is at the heart of this new technology thrust. The chemical databases built over many years by chemists are the heart of the molecular design programs being utilized so aggressively in the development of new drugs, high-performance materials, specialty chemicals, and biotechnology products. These are especially exciting research and development areas today, and, properly communicated, they can attract the most able students into chemistry. I am very pleased that ACS is taking a leadership position in these new areas. Some concrete examples of our participation are: • Organization of the Biotechnology Secretariat—the first technical program of this group at the Anaheim meeting was extraordinarily well received. • Evaluation of the potential for new journals in biotechnology and materials chemistry. • Development of CA Selects by Chemical Abstracts Service in several areas of materials and biotechnology• Initiation of ACS continuing education courses in materials-related topics. • Publication of major technical articles in Chemical & Engineering Neics on a variety of topics that link chemistry to related disciplines, such as "Synthetic Antiviral Agents," "Engineering Plastics," "Light-Activated Pesticides," and "Organic Solid State." These programs must be nurtured and supported both by increased academic participation and by industrial input. We have planned several programs in 1987 to focus on chemistry and its importance in the national competitiveness race and to stress the seriousness with which we view
our role, including our responsibilities to protect our common wellbeing through responsible and competent handling of chemicals in the environment. In early June, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the society's Congressional Charter, we plan to hold a select conference in Washington, D.C., focused on the theme that national, commercial, and scientific progress in this "high-tech" world is measured at the molecular level. The program will feature state-of-the-art science associated with materials and biotechnology. The potential economic impact of this effort also will be explored. We hope to attract an audience of Congressional leaders, other policy makers, science writers, and financial analysts. The other major event of 1987 will be "National Chemistry Day," an idea first brought forward by George Pimentel in his President's Message on these pages last year. Nov. 6 has been chosen officially as National Chemistry Day, and many ACS local sections are planning extensive programs in their immediate geographic areas. This will be an opportunity for widespread grassroots participation by the membership in a program to educate the general public about chemistry, chemicals, and chemists. Excellent staff work by ACS headquarters is already under way, and this activity has the potential to revitalize local sections through the personal involvement of their members. In summary, it is an exciting time for chemistry. With the ACS programs we have planned, 1987 should be a year of major advancements in the public understanding of chemistry and its role in everyday life and technological future. I urge all of you to participate! • January 5, 1987 C&EN
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