News
The American Scientific Affiliation

VOL 2 NUMBER 4   17 July 1960




SEE YOU IN SEATTLE

 The program for the Fifteenth Annual Convention of the ASA is essentially completed, reports Harold T. Wiebe, General Chairman, and Hendrik J. Oorthuys, Program Chairman. This is the most important meeting of the ASA year and, judging from the tentative program mailed out May 16th, it will be one of the most interesting sessions arranged for many years.

DETAILS

Seattle Pacific College
Seattle, Washington
August 22-25., 1960

Rooms: $1.00 /day/person
Meals: 
Breakfast..$0.25
Lunch ... . 0.60
Dinner..... 1.00

Write to Dr., Harold T. Wiebe
Seattle Pacific College
Seattle 99, Washington and give him the best estimate of your needs.

FEDERATION GET-TOGETHER IN CHICAGO

Walt Hearn (Iowa State U.) reports that ASA'ers were getting together all over the place during the Federation meetings this year. Eating dinner together one evening were Ian Tinsley (Oregon State College), Merton Pubols (Purdue), Art Smucker (Goshen College), Joe Boutwell (Temple U.), Dick Hendry (Westminster College), Walt Hearn and two prospective members Walt invited. The next night Kurt Weiss (U. of Miami), Duane Gish (U. of California) and Marlin Kreider (Army QM R&E Center) had dinner Together and attended Bible study at Moody Memorial Church. There was also much fellowship by twos and threes, but there were other ASA'ers around that never could be located.

Those who attend,- these meetings every spring are trying to figure out a better way to announce the get-togethers so that everyone will get the word on time and know who else is registered for the meetings.

EVOLUTION BOOK

The first printing of Evolution and Christian Thought Today (2400 copies) was sold out about May lst but don't worry about the supple. More are available at the special member's rate of $2.95 postpaid in US ($3.07 Canada) for this As50 books A number of ASA members have been purchasing books at this reduced rate to be used as gifts to scientist friends.

Included in this mailing will be a leaflet advertising the book, If you can use a small stock of these effectively, write to Mrs. Merton Pubols, ASA Business manager) 214-9 Halsey Drive, West Lafayette, Indiana.

RESEARCH AWARD

Dr. Stanley Parmerter has been awarded a research grant by the Alumni Association of Wheaton College. Dr.  Parmerter will continue work in the field of synthetic organic chemistry which he has been carrying on under a National Science Foundation grants. Prior to joining the Wheaton faculty in 1952, Dr. Parmerter served as research chemist at Merrell-Company and Eastman Kodak. He graduated from Greenville College of Illinois and obtained his PhD from the University of Illinois. He is the author of numerous scientific papers including one of the three chapters in Volume X (1959) of the well-known reference series published by Wileys His chapter is on "The Coupling of Diazoniun, Salts with Aliphatic Carbon Atoms," It will be remembered by many that such an Alumni Grant made it possible for Dr. Russell L. Mixter to write the widely used ASA Monograph, "Creation and Evolution".

PRESIDENT'S AWARD

The annual President's Award for Distinguished Federal Civilian Service, the nation's highest honor to a career employee, was presented to Dr. Robert M. Page, Director of Research of the Naval Research Laboratory, Washington DC. The presentation was made by President Eisenhower at the White House on March 8th. Dr. Page was one of five exceptionally outstanding federal employees who received the gold-medal awards He was cited by the President for his "remarkable achievements in the field of electronics research., particularly in the original development of radar". The significant achievements of Dr. Page and his associates laid the foundation and made possible the early and rapid development of the first pulse radar system.

LOS ANGELES SECTION MEETS

On Saturday afternoon, May 14th, the Los Angeles Section of the ASA met at Los Angeles Pacific College for a conference on science and the Christian faith.

At 2 PM a symposium on "Vitalism vs. Mechanism" anticipated the subject to be included in the program of the coming annual convention in Seattle, John C. Sinclair of the University of California San Francisco Medical Department considered the subject of "dualism." Sinclair pointed out two schools of thought, one believing that everything concerning the mind will eventually be explained in terms of physics and chemistry and the other believing that the mind is an intangible overall integrating force which plays on the brain as a person plays
on a piano. Emphasizing the sterility of the old vitalistic approach which discouraged experimentation, Sinclair stated his conviction that natural explanations in no way eliminate the need for God.

"Vitalism vs. Mechanism in Biology" was treated by Dr, Robert C. Frost., Associate Professor of Biology, Westmont College.. Santa Barbara, After a survey of the history of the controversy, the current status was classified as being very quiet due to the capitulation of the vitalist. The current mechanistic models (such as DNA) obviously result in mechanistic explanations. The living/non-living bridge is not now considered outside the ultimate reach of the laboratory as it was a few years ago, Dr. Frost then asked the question., "To what extent is the Christian biologist a mechanist?" His an snswer pointed out the Christian's commitment to a transcendent God Who established the laws and supervises their operation and Who is also the Author and Finisher of the moral and spiritual life, as well, The Christian biologist sees beyond the mechanistic operation to the author beyond, much as a person can look through a glass window or focus attention on the glass itself. The Christian biologist is then neither a mechanistic determinist nor a vitalist but an operational mechanist with a broader view which should be very conducive to research.

Dr. John L. Abernethy, Assistant Research Chemist, UCLA, Medical School, rounded out the discussion with some remarks on "Problems Pertaining to Free Will as Viewed By A Chemist". He pointed out the strong inclination toward mechanistic ideas in chemistry today and called special attention to tracer experiments and reaction rate concepts.

At 3 PM a second symposium chaired by Dr. Marvin L, Darsie was held on the subject of hypnosis. Dr. John E. McLennan presented the history and theory of hypnosis. He recalled the extensive use of hypnosis for surgical procedures by the British in India around 1871. It was then dormant until World War I when it was used as short-term psycho-therapy. He outlined the prerequisites for being hypnotized: the patient must have some intelligence and the ability to concentrate, a willingness to subject himself to and have confidence in the operator.

Dr. Darsie, anesthesiologist at St. John's Hospital in Santa Monica, spoke on the medical applications of hypnosis. In outlining many experiences Dr. Darsie stated that if it is possible to induce a trans-state, a condition of freedom from pain can result. Hypnosis as an anesthetic procedure does work within limits., although chemicals are available which do much the same thing. Hazards accompany the use of hypnosis: a mentally unstable person can be precipitated into schizophrenia. Also., it becomes progressively easier to be hypnotized which night lead to accidentally induced hypnosis and resulting dangerous situations. Machines for bringing on a hypnotic state were described.

"Ethical Implications" were discussed by Franklin F. Ellis., graduate student in psycholoEy3 UCLA. The hypnotist must have the trust of the patient and the patient must yield himself to the hypnotist. Yielding to the hypnotist is generally considered right or wrong depending upon the integrity of the hypnotist (see Romans 6:13., 16., 19). Freud acknowledged the great responsibility of the hypnotist in not violating the moral code of the subject. Increased susceptibility with successive sessions would make the subject 11ore susceptible to any hypnotist, so integrity of the hypnotist is not a valid criterion. Why the subject is seeking hypnosis may have moral implications. Avoid pain? Unpleasantness? The conclusion: hypnosis is a useful tool for which benefits must be weighed against risks, which could be very great.

After a fine dinner together at a nearby restaurant the group assembled at 7 PM for a review of the new ASA book.. Evolution and Christian Thought Today." Unlike many reviewing sessions, this was a very lively presentation of the ideas of the book and their evaluation. Those participating: Chaps. 1-5. Dr. George F. Howe (Instructor of Biology, Westmont College); Chaps. 6-8 Mr. Robert F. Sanders (instructor in Biology,, Los Angeles Pacific College); Chaps.9-11, Dr. Oliver G. Titrud (Professor of Biology, Pasadena College).

DIRECTORY PROJECT ENDANGERED

The whole point of publishing a new ASA Directory is to correct the errors of the ancient 1956 directory, These corrections are based upon data you supply on the cards sent to you some months ago. Mrs. Pubols, ASA Business Manager, states that many cards have not been returned. please send in your card immediate-ly or forever forfeit your privilege to complain over mistakes made in your names address, title or affiliations.

CHEMISTS GET TOGETER IN CLEVELAND

Bob Fischer (Indiana U,) writes., "This is just a short note to report that eight persons attended the ASA dinner at the Cleveland meeting of the American Chemical Society --- Tom Cummings (Bradley U.), Tom Parks (Proctor & Gamble), Bob Bohon (Minnesota Mining & Mtg. Co.). Russell Maatmaan, (U. of Mississippi), Chip Wil1its (Rutgers U.). Bernard A. Nelson, Wheaton College), Ed Wise (U. of Arizona) and myself. There were apparently other members and friends of the ASA in attendance at some of the ACS sessions who were unable to attend this dinner for
one reason or another.

"After a good time at the dinner, we reassembled in one of our hotels for further discussion of such topics as frequent books of interest relative to the purposes of the ASA, organization of local sections and the type and frequency of programs of local sections, etc. most of us were not previously acquainted personally with most of the others in the group, and I am sure that all of us considered the evening to have been a pleasant and informative one."

INVENTIONS

The Inventions Screening Board of DATA is being organized by Clayton Ramussen for maximum technical benefit to the Christian ministries. DATA (Development and Technical Assistance) is working on three mission field problems: a language study tape recorder; missionary aircraft design; medical and surgical instruments. Anyone interested should communicate with Clayton at 3201 Middlefield Rd.) Palo Alto, California.

OPENINGS

Dr. E, Jams Kennedy., Biology Department of North Park College and Theological Seminary, has pointed out the possible interest of some ASA members in vacancies existing at his school. They are in need of teachers in biology and chemistry. The PhD. degree or candidacy is preferred. North Park is owned and controlled by the Evangelical Covenant Church of America, Please communicate directly with Dean Earland I. Carlson at the college which is at Foster and Kedzie Avenues, Chicago 25 IL.

 ASA CHEMIST HONORED

The six winners of the Manufacturing Chemists Association, 1960 College Chemistry Teacher Awards include Dr. John De Vries of Calvin College. This year's winners were selected from- 187-candidates nominated by college and university presidents. The awards recognize teachers of undergraduate chemistry who have been outstanding in awakening in students a genuine interest in chemistry and in developing them in their further intellectual pursuits in this
field.

Dr. De Vries was born in The Netherlands in 1908. He took an AB from Calvin College and a PhD from the University of Illinois. He taught for a while at Knox, College and has been at Calvin College since 1939. He is now chairman of the Chemistry Department and the Science Division of Calvin* His principal research has been on the growth of single crystals of zinc and on electrode reactions in concentrated alkalies.

ASA STOCK RISES AT IOWA

Three ASA members have usurped as many associate professorships at Iowa. State University., Ames, Iowa. Walter Re Hearn has been promoted in Biochemistry., and Donald S. Robertson in Genetics. Evans Roth, formerly of the electron microscopy section of the Argonne National Laboratory, has been appointed Associate Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics. Sounds like the prospects for an Ames local section are improving.

ASA MEN GIVE IRE PAPERS

The 7th Region Institute of Radio Engineers Conference held at Seattle May 24-26 had ASA representation in the list of papers presented, R. D. Hunsacker presented a paper on "High Frequency Studies of the Arctic Ionosphere, "with Leif Cwren. Dr. A Van der Ziel of the University of Minnesota presented a paper on "Some Aspects of Semiconductor Noise."

REDWOODS RESIST RADIATION

In a study on California's giant redwoods, Dr, Theodore N. Tahmisian of Argonne National Laboratory has concluded that the living cell is not entirely helpless against radiation. Calculating that the redwood trees had been subjected to 115 to 150 roentgens per 1000 years, he found that 70% of the seeds from present day cones germinated and appeared normal in everyway. These results were reported to the Radiation Research Society and were described in the May 30th issue of Chemical and Engineering News.

NORTERN DELAWARE SECTION

The Northern Delaware Section of the ASA, active for many years, has formally applied to the Executive Council for official recognition. Council action is expected soon. There are a number of other local sections qualified for this step and President Hartzler would be very happy to receive petitions.

ASA FERSONALITES

Walter Re Hearn gave a series of lectures on science and faith during the graduates, study week at IVCF's Campus-in-the-Woods, Ontario., July 23-30.

Howard H. Claassen, Professor of Physics and department head at Wheaton College, is attending the Institute on History and Philosophy of Science at American University, Washington DC. June 23 to August 3.

Lawrence H 0 Starkey received his long-awaited PhD, degree this June from University of Southern California) Department of Philosophy. He teaches philosophy at Bethel Colleges

John T. Chappel has spent many years in the Taiwan Christian Colleges Active in the ASA during the early years, Dr. Chappel is now in the United States and can be reached c/o Oscar Lostrom, 479 Washington Street) Fair Haven, MA. He will soon be celebrating his 70th birthday by starting work on the preparation of some text books needed in Taiwan.

James Oliver Buswell III has been on leave from Wheaton's Anthropology Department and will remain on leave during the coming year as he continues his graduate work, at Columbia,

Hendrik it Oorthuys attended a three-week conference on applied mathematics at Case School of Applied Science, June 13 to July 1. This conference was sponsored by the National Science Foundation.

Samuel Elder and several other ASA members met informally during the recent American Physical Society meeting in Washington. (Wish we had some details).

Russell L. Mixter gave talks at the East Lansing Trinity Church April 30th as follows: The age of the earth and man, creation and evolution and the origin of man. Dr. Mixter also accompanied a group of Wheaton College biology majors to Florida to study native vegetation and wild life, camping in state parks on the way.

Irving Knobloch talked on "Darwin and Natural Selection" at the same seminar at fast Lansing Trinity Church. Dr. Knobloch was also elected President of the Michigan State University Chapter of the American Association of University Professors at its recent meeting.

R. Laird Harris spoke on "The Dangers of Criticism" at the Midwest section of the Evangelical Theological Society which recently net at Calvin College in Grand Rapids.

Donald Boardman, Professor of Geology~ will return to Wheaton College this fall after a year in Pakistan.

Douglas A. Block.. Assistant Professor of Geology, Wheaton College, will take leave this nex-t year to do graduate work at the University of North Dakota.

Merton Pubols and his good wife have welcomed little Mark into the ASA family. It has been amazing to the officers of the ASA how little the flow of ASA work has been affected by his arrival.



ASA News Editor
F. Alton Everest
947 Stanford Street
Santa Monica, California

Executive Council of the ASA:

H Harold Hartzler., President
Henry D.Weaver. Jr., Vice-President
Walter R. Hearn, Sec.-Treas.
Wilbur L. Bullock
J. Frank Cassel
D N. Eggenberger., Editor, Journal of the A.S.A.