- ACS Spring 2011 National Meeting
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March 29, 2011
Anaheim, CA
Scientific Freedom and Human Rights in Chemistry and Related Sciences
- Nancy B. Jackson, Sandia National Laboratories, Albequerque, NM, United States; President, American Chemical Society, Washington, DC, United States
"Human rights, scientific freedom, and our responsibility as a professional society"
(no abstract provided)
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Bassam Z. Shakhashiri, Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States; President Elect, American Chemical Society, Washington, DC, United States
"On advancing science, technology and human rights"
Increasing public awareness of the role that science and technology play in our daily lives is a major responsibility for ACS. Also, as learned individuals and groups we have major responsibilities in promoting human rights to assure freedom of inquiry and expression, professional conduct, and entrepreneurship in serving society. We should be clear and articulate about our role in the realm of human rights. Basic research in science has greatly increased our understanding of nature, expanded frontiers of inquiry, shown us how little we know, triggered creative waves of invention and innovation, and prompted technological breakthroughs that were inconceivable just a few short decades ago. Yet, many people around the world are still insulated from much of the modern advancements and are thus deprived of their benefits. The wide gap between those of us who flourish because of advances in science and technology and those who do not is deeply disturbing. Our research and our technology can provide clean water and nutritious food, meet energy demands, eradicate disease, reduce poverty and help lead to sustainable development everywhere. We are clear about our role in science and technology, but what should our role be in addressing human rights issues as they relate to science?
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