Promises and Constraints on Science 



by 



Dr. Frederick Seitz 



National Academy of Sciences 



In discussing the topic of "Promises and Constraints on 

 Science" today, I am placed somewhat in the position of a 

 pathologist examining a reasonably healthy animal, if indeed 

 science and science-based technology in our country can be 

 referred to in biological terms. The position is by no means an 

 entirely ridiculous one since it is basically the task normally 

 assigned to the professional critic who earns his living by 

 showing how deftly he can wield his scalpel to dissect both 

 the healthy and the unwell subject. I must admit that I per- 

 sonally prefer to discuss plans and actions; however, it is not 

 unpleasant to assume the role of critic occasionally. 



One of my colleagues in the Academy, Professor Roger T. 

 Williams, a biochemist at the University of Texas and an ex- 

 pert on nutrition, is at present writing a book, which I have 

 had the privilege of reading in draft form, that deals with a 

 topic he came to comprehend in somewhat the manner of a 

 revelation in the course of his lifetime. In brief, he has noted 

 that each healthy human being, while completely consistent 

 with himself, both physically and psychologically, inevitably 

 differs from others. Each reacts differently to given medicines 

 and other influences, internal and external, without being un- 

 true to the species as a whole. The fact that Jack Spratt could 

 eat no fat and his wife could eat no lean does not imply that 

 either was abnormal. This type of built-in diversity of our 

 population as a whole implies that our species gains collective 

 strength which it could not if all individuals had exactly the 

 same aptitudes and reactions. 



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