Scholars Talk About Science In Year 2000

Everett Mendelsohn, professor of the History of Science, and Vera Kistiakowsky, professor of physics at MIT, spoke to 50 community residents yesterday at the Cambridge Forum on "Science in the Year 2000."

Kistiakowsky said she predicts advancement in the understanding of genetic engineering, pre-biotic evolution, catalysts, computers, particle physics and the workings of the human brain.

She also stressed the importance of technology and the funding necessary to bring about the technological advancement in those fields.

Mendelsohn attacked the issue of science in the future from a social stand-point, and said science should be brought back into harmony with the people.

Modern science has prompted enormous social problems and choices necessitating increased accountability, Mendelsohn said, adding that the control of genetic traits, radiation resulting from nuclear wars and undue reliance on machines are areas of controversy.

Kistiakowsky said after she and Mendelsohn had given their prepared comments that she believes he is wrong in thinking that science should be, or ever was, democratic. She added that although there might be a cataclysmic nuclear war, machines will never control human beings.