Union of Concerned Scientists

[Steven Dapra <sjd@swcp.com>]

Feb. 23



	Norm Cohen has made much of the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) on

RADSAFE, and has posted links to its website on at least one occasion.



	Rothman and Lichter (1982) report on a study they conducted about the

different views of scientists, the media, and the public concerning nuclear

power.  Their "random sample of 741 scientists contained only one who

listed any affiliation with UCS.  On that basis, we estimate that fewer

than 200 scintists among the 130,000 listed in 'American Men and Women of

Science' were affiliated with UCS when we conducted our study.  The [UCS]

would not provide the information we needed to poll its membership, so we

have no data on the training or background of its members."



	In light of the rather considerable influence the UCS exercises with the

popular press, some might consider this apparent dearth of scientists in

UCS, and the UCS' -- secrecy, shall we say? -- to be disconcerting.



	According the the UCS' web site, "UCS was founded in 1969 by faculty

members and students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology who were

concerned about the misuse of science and technology in society. Their

statement called for the redirection of scientific research to pressing

environmental and social problems.



	"From that beginning, UCS has become a powerful voice for change."

(edit)

 

	With its agenda for "change," the UCS sounds like more than a mere group

of scientists.  It also makes no secret of its agenda of disarmament and

its opposition to space-based defense (High Frontier).



	Apparently the only requirement for membership is the willingness to part

with $35.00.  No requirement that applicants be scientists, or even know

anything systematic about science.



Steven Dapra

sjd@swcp.com



REFERENCE



Rothman, S. and Lichter, S. R.  The Nuclear Energy Debate:  Scientists,the

Media and the Public.  Public Opinion 5(4):47-52; 8/9-1982.







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