can regulate itself, why ask the Government to d o i t ? I can see only one major advantage of licensing over the certification plan; the licensed chemist would be stamped with a legal seal of approval which the certified chemist would not possess. Mere, 1 believe, is t h e nub o f the whole matter. I have the impression that the pressure for licensing h a s come to a large degree from consulting chemists who feel that in conducting their business they need the stamp of approval which the license confers. In saying this I do n o t imply any criticism whatsoever. I have no doubt that the consulting chemists have a real heed for this protection and they have a perfect right to t r y to obtain it; but I do question whether, to protect a small minority, the whole profession should be subjected to licensing, if the majority do not want it. I suggest t h a t those groups who are pressing for licensing in Ohio and in other states defer any further action until the desire of t h e majority of chemists can be determined by popular vote, and that in the meantime t h e consulting chemists explore t h e possibility, difficult though it may be, of devising a licensing bill which
would satisfy their needs without involving the bulk of the profession.
Summary The creation by industrial management of lines of promotion based o n chemical rather than executive ability and the establishment of a real, defined profession of chemistry would go far to overcome the dissatisfaction which is widespread among industrial chemists. A survey of the arguments for and against state licensing of chemists leads to the conclusion that under the bills s o far proposed it is doubtful whether licensing would accomplish the second objective. A plan is proposed for the regulation of the profession of chemistry b y the profession itself through a system of certification on the basis of comprehensive examinations administered by national boards to b e established for that purpose. Reasons are stated for the belief that such a system would accomplish the benefits to chemists claimed for licensing, except the legal stamp of approval which the license confers upon the licensee, and would be preferable in several respects. I t is suggested that the minority of chemists, t o whom t h e
stamp of approval would be a distinct advantage in their business, explore t h e possibility of devising a licensing bill which would protect their interests without placing the whole profession under licensing. It is suggested t h a t those groups of chemists w h o are attempting t o have licensing bills passed i n their states defer further action until t h e desire of t h e whole profession can be determined b y vote. In conclusion. I wash to repeat what I said i n effect at the beginning of this talk: that I have no direct, personal concern in the fate of licensing o r of certification. I hope that in presenting my views on these issues I may have been of some service i n strengthening chemistry as a profession.
Literature
Cited
(1) Adams, R„ CHEM. ENG. N E W S , 23, 1706
(1945). (2) Chemists Registration Act of Ohio. (3) Egloff, G., CHEM. ENG. N E W S , 24, 310
(1946). (4) O'Connor, J., "Structural Visualization", Human Engineering Laboratory, 1943; "Aptitudes and the Languages", Ibid., 1944. (5) Parsons, C. L. CHEM, ENG. N E W S , 24,
311 (1946), (6) Sperry, W. M., Hexagon of Alpha Chi Sigma, 36, 67(1945).
THE PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CHEMIST W . CONARD F E K N E L I U S
Central Research Department, Monsanto Chemical Co., Dayton, Ohio
O B RECENT date there has been much discussion among chemists o n the topic of professionalism. Opinions on various phases of this subject are sharply divided. Whenever chemists gather together there is apt t o b e debate or even heated argument. S o m e even insist that chemistry is not a profession and by i t s very nature can never be one. T o me this point of view i s much t o o narrow. I shall insist that if chemistry is not a profession, then w e should do all i n our power to see that it becomes one. Further, if chemists do not consider themselves to be professional men and a c t accordingly, this is indeed unfortunate. When w e seek to find the essential char1664
acteristics of a profession, a few items stand out above others: (1) training to acquire knowledge of the profession and experience in i t s practice; (2) the exercise of one's judgment in professional practice; and (3) willingness to accept responsibility. One might well add a fourth characteristic—i.e., general recognition by the public of the existence of the profession. Many would add a fifth— viz., legal recognition of the profession. There is little need on this occasion to discuss the first item because the Committee on t h e Professional Training of Chemists n o t only has recognized the need for action but has done something about it. After listening t o t h e com-
CHEMICAL
plaints of many practicing chemists, particularly the younger ones, I h a v e the distinct feeling that much of their.discontent arises from their sense of frustration b e cause they are n o t given t h e freedom which they feel essential t o exercise their own judgment. However, it is the third item which t o me seems paramount. I have heard it said that chemists are tired of hearing about their responsibilities and now want to see some action along t h e line of others' responsibilities t o chemists. Yet, despite this feeling, I w a n t to place emphasis on t h e chemists* responsibilities. I d o this because I believe that i t is at this point that we can do most for the profession and have t h e greatest likelihood of
AND
ENGINEERING
NEWS
obtaining those things for which we are all striving. I t is not an easy task t o classify chemists among the conventional groups of our present society. Some insist that chemists are a part of labor; others that chemists are or should be considered as a part of management. I incline to the v i e w that there is something about the profession of chemistry which transcends these conventional classifications. Chemists seem to find their w a y into many walks of life and professionally we profit by this situation. However, as a consequence of this situation, the responsibilities of the individual chemist will vary a good deal even though some responsibilities will be common t o all. First, among a chemist's responsibilities is that to himself. He must guard his own integrity and be sure that his work is of high quality. H e must be cooperative toward others, maintain a high ethical conduct, and not cease t o grow intellectually. As an employee, a chemist has definite responsibilities to his employer. H e should see that he delivers an honest day's work, that he gives consideration to the employer's interests and is sympathetic toward them. As a n employer or a supervisor, a chemist should see that his subordinates have adequate facilities to carry on their work. He must deal with them in absolute fairness, rewarding effort and merit and giving full credit for their contributions. Every person owes a good deal to his profession because each of us continually benefits in a personal way from the existence of the profession. A chemist should remember that his own conduct reflects on his profession. H e should help to keep incompetents out of the profession and to make possible the entrance of capable aspirants into the profession. H e should strive always to improve his profession. Further, h e should defend it and see that it is not misrepresented. Out of the recent rapid growth of the importance of chemistry and other sciences in modern society has arisen one of the greatest responsibilities of the chemist. This is the responsibility of the chemist to society. In many ways this is the one which is the most difficult for chemists t o meet. The difficulty arises because it necessitates a departure from many older habits of thought and action, because it necessitates an alteration of the attitude of others toward chemists, and because it requires that a very small minority in modern society with little training for the task must strive t o influence the opinion and action of t h e public which b y background and habit is n o t entirely receptive t o the changes in thinking that are necessary. The only promising aspect of the situation is that the public is looking toward chemists and other scientists for that guidance. In many respects this is probably the most important aspect of the development of a truly professional con-
VOLUME
2 4,
NO.
12
» *
sciousness. t If we fail in this task now, it may be that we have lost our great chance of becoming a highly" respected'profession and may never again have the same opportunity. I n the p a s t it h a s not been a general custom among chemists and other scientists to assume responsibility for the uses to which the products of their creation are put. However, today we find a scientists' lobby in Washington striving to influence legislation and one continuany reads in t h e press statements made b y scientists concerning impending legislation, domestic and foreign policy, and a number of other topics which hitherto have not been considered to be subjects of professional interest t o chemists. I regard this situation as a very wholesome one. J hope it will continue. In passing i t is well to note that many of the most active persons in this group are the younger scientists. Of course they make blunders due to their inexperience, but let us give them full credit for recognizing their duty and accepting the challenge. I am told that at the San Francisco conference of the UNO there were no chemists present in a n ad visory capacity. Compare the situation today with the numerous committees, whose membership includes chemists, making reports o n a wide variety of issues. If you are skeptical a s to the reality of the change in the attitude of the public, give just one talk o n the subject of the future technical possibilities or political implications of nuclear energy and see how many invitations for repeat performances you will receive. The public is hungry for information about science. It is our responsibility to see that they g e t it and that they get it without distortion. Fortunately, chemists do not have an axe of their own t o grind. T h e best interests of the chemist are also the best interests of society. If impending legislation is harmful t o science, it is harmful to society. The public is beginning to recognize this and is turning to the scientist for information and advice. This is indeed a grave responsibility. We may not have asked for it, but i t is ours. There is too much a t stake; we dare not fail. In the past, we have often been critical of the illogical and unscientific way i n which solutions to · public and political issues were attempted. N o w we are being asked for our solutions. We must all be cautious and be sure that we use the same sort of logic in arriving a t conclusions outside our own field as we insist upon i n our field. If we are really successful i n bringing to the public and governmental councils a basic understanding of t h e i m portance of science, w e must expound t h e method of t h e controlled variable and be careful lest our own actions are governed by prejudice. Further, each of u s as a chemist must d o his part in breaking down the widely-held idea that w e are a group apart from the rest of society. Each of u s will be much benefited by holding member-
»
JUNE
2 5,
1946
ship in a few organizations other than scientific societies. Try i t ; very likely you will enjoy these associations. Looking ahead for the next few years, we see o n e segment of the chemical profession which m u s t stioulder a particularly heavy burden of professional responsibility. This group is t h e teachers of chemistry. They are t h e main guardians of the profession, since they have very largely i n their handLs the tasks of selecting the capable aspirants and weeding out the unfit, of counseling and encouraging young aspirants during their formative years, of molding attitudes, and finally of aiding in the placement of young men when t h e y are ready to enter the profession. Further, the teachers must be of general service in imparting a knowledge of chemistry to other students, both technical and nontechnical, who have need of some knowledge of chemistry in their pursuits. On the w h o l e this has been done well, although w e are not to presume that there is no room, for improvement. I would make one further suggestion. The teacher o f chemistry must place greater emphasis on t h e inculcation of a professional attitude i n students and must be certain that t h e professional chemist is more than a specialist but that in every sense he becomes a responsible member of society. Conclusion In closing, I s h o u l d like t o make a sug-» gestion t o all m e m t e r s of the profession. Professional responsibilities are not matters which are t o b e considered only on the job or in a m e e t i n g of one's colleagues. These responsibilities are with us always and cannot be put aside a t any time. The attitude of the public toward our profession is being influenced b y all our contacts, e v e n though tiicy may seem to be very remote from professional matters. Further, i n attaining our professional objectives, w e must not fall into the error of expecting a national organization to carry the entire burden. Victories are t o be won at home j u s t a s well as elsewhere. There is a great need for local study and action. Does your local organization of chemists d o something more than present technical papers? H^,ve you placed the services of your orgaaaization at the disposal of t h e city, county, or state whenever such a governing uneit needs advice on chemical matters? A^e you aiding the newspapers in accurately reporting the news when it involves chemistry? D o you have a speakers^ bureau o n which luncheon clubs and others can call for their enlightenment? Are you aiding your local high schools in vocational guidance? Do y o u have some scheme for encouraging promising students in chemistry in your locality? All these and many more are ways in whieh each of us individually can do his part. Try it. You'll probably have more real fun and satisfaction than y o u think.
1665
