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CHAPTER I
Introduction
Two decades have passed since the publication of NRC Report 1292, Chem-
istry: Opportunity and Needs, edited by Frank H. Westheimer. The frontiers
that it envisaged in 1965 have indeed fulfilled their promise, and almost all of
the report's optimistic expectations have been realized. In fact, the advances
have been so rapid and so penetrating that the structure of chemistry and its
interactions with contiguous disciplines have qualitatively changed. Physics
has provided a panoply of powerful diagnostic tools that extend the experimen-
tal horizons of chemistry. Chemical theory has advanced to full partnership in
the discipline, substantially aided by the revolutionary advances made by
computer scientists. Molecular biology has made remarkable progress in its
elucidation of life processes and has placed before chemistry challenging
problems that require explication at the molecular level. Hence it is timely for
a new assessment of the status of chemistry, the opportunities that can be seen
ahead, and the resources needed to pursue them. This report presents that
assessment.
Chemistry is a central science that provides fundamental understanding
needed to deal with many of society's needs. It is a critical component in man's
attempt to feed the world population, to tap new sources of energy, to clothe and
house humankind, to provide renewable substitutes for dwindling or scarce
materials, to improve health and conquer disease, to strengthen our national
security, and to monitor and protect our environment. Basic research in
chemistry will help future generations to cope with their evolving needs and
unanticipated problems.
Because of this responsiveness to human needs, chemistry has become a
crucial element in the nation's economic well-being. The U.S. Chemicals and
Allied Products industry employs more than a million people, makes annual
manufacturing shipments totalling about $175 billion, and, currently, displays
a $12 billion positive international balance of trade, second highest of all
commodity groups. Our competitiveness in a range of international markets
depends upon maintaining our present position of leadership in the chemical
3
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4
INTRODUCTION
sciences. There is no area of basic science that offers a more secure investment
in the nation's future.
Finally, our culture embraces the premise that learning about ourselves and
our environment is an ample basis for encouraging scientific inquiry. Chemistry
contributes substantially to this cultural enrichment. For example, nothing
preoccupies humans more than questions about the nature of life and how to
preserve it. Because all life processes are manifestations of chemical changes,
understanding chemical reactivity is a requisite foundation for our ultimate
understanding of life. Thus, chemistry, along with biology, contributes to
human knowledge in areas of universal philosophical significance.
Fortunately, we find ourselves in a time of special opportunity for advances on
all these fronts. The opportunity derives from our developing ability to probe
and understand the elemental steps of chemical change and, at the same time,
to deal with extreme molecular complexity. Progress is epitomized by the
striking fact that the number of new compounds continues to increase at a rate
that is faster than exponential. Powerful instrumental techniques furnish a
crucial dimension. They account for the recent acceleration of progress that now
promises especially high return from the investment of additional resources in
the field of chemistry.
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FASTER THAN EXPONENTIAL GROWTH IN CHEMICAL KNOWLEDGE
It will be helpful to describe here the organization of this report. Following
this introductory chapter, an Executive Summary of the report makes up
Chapter IT. Each of the three Chapters Ill, IV, and V begins with three sections,
A, B. and C, that focus on chemistry's responses to society's needs. Several of
these sections are introduced, in turn, by a one-page vignette that presents in
nontechnical language a case history illustrating chemistry's usefulness. The
section then describes recent important accomplishments and identifies poten-
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INTRODUCTION
tialities for the future. The potentialities stem from intellectual opportunities
and opening research frontiers that are described in a Section D, where the
vocabulary must sometimes be pitched at a more technical level than that used
elsewhere in the report. Most of the frontiers depend upon sophisticated and
expensive instrumentation that is described in a Section E, which highlights
trends in instrument capabilities that account for chemistry's accelerating
progress. The trends are usually accompanied by escalation in cost caused by
the increasing complexity and capability of the equipment; this escalation is
quantitatively evaluated. Chapter Vl addresses issues of manpower and educa-
tion and concerns itself primarily with factors that determine the effectiveness
of doctoral education. Then, Chapter VIT assesses the resources needed if the
United States is to maintain a position of international leadership in chemistry.
The assessment finds current funding levels inadequate to secure the substan-
tial societal benefits to be derived from such leadership.
The current federal investment in chemical research is still historically
rooted in a funding pattern appropriate to a test-tube and Bunsen burner era, an
era long since eclipsed. The sophistication of a modern chemistry laboratory
requires a much more vigorous and sustained financial commitment of both
capital and supporting services. The cost is miniscule when weighed against the
potential returns. We must encourage a scientific field brimming with opportu-
nities for discovery that will advance human knowledge and strengthen the
underpinnings of a critical industry, and we must attract a substantial share of
our brightest young scientists to this rewarding task. This report presents a
program that can accomplish these goals.
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Representative terms from entire chapter:
life processes
