Academy meeting examines responsibility of scientists in age of nuclear weapons & global security

Nobel Laureate Roald Hoffman & Director of U.N. Millennium Project Jeffrey Sachs to speak on Oct. 25

Ever since the Enola Gay dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, controversy has ensued over how much responsibility scientists should bear for the consequences of their research on humanity and the degree to which scientists should become involved in political or social issues. Indispensable to this debate was The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, a publication founded by scientists who had worked on the Manhattan Project and were deeply concerned about the future use of nuclear weapons and the possibility of nuclear war. For the next sixty years, the publication became a leading resource for information about nuclear weapons, international security issues, the arms trade, and the nuclear industry.

To celebrate the 60th anniversary of this landmark publication and examine the role and responsibility of scientists in a world still threatened by nuclear weapons and other dangers to global security, the New York Academy of Sciences and the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, Columbia University, are co-sponsoring an event, "The Responsibilities of Scientists in a Changing World," on October 25, 2005 from 4 to 6 p.m., in the Low Library Rotunda at Columbia University in New York City.

The event, which is free and open to the public, will feature Nobel Laureate Roald Hoffman, renowned economist Jeffrey Sachs, Director of the United Nations Millennium Project, as well as innovative thinkers from the worlds of global security, public policy and science. Academy President Ellis Rubinstein will serve as moderator.

Panelists will include:

Christopher Chyba: Professor of Astrophysical Sciences and International Affairs at the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University.
Maxine Singer: Former President of the Carnegie Institution, Scientist Emeritus the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health.

The discussion is part of a series of programs being held by the Bulletin to commemorate its history of publication as well as to educate the public about the appropriate roles of nuclear technology while addressing the dangers posed by nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction.

Seating is limited. Please RSVP to events@thebulletin.org.

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Founded in 1817, the New York Academy of Science is an independent nonprofit organization of more than 22,000 members worldwide dedicated to serving science, technology, and society.

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