The conscience of the scientific community is uneasy. In1955 the American Association for the Advancement of Science set up an Interim Committee on the Social Aspects of science. This committee made its report at the 1956 year end to the 123rd annual meeting of the AAAS in New York. The report is thoughtful and literate; the issue it raises momentous. It sees a scientific revolution underway in which man made processes are beginning to equal nature in their size and intensity. These may be used for good or evil, and the report asks scientists to face their moral and civic duty "to determine that these new powers shall be used for the maximum human good."

Except for the New York Times, which printed the text on December 31 and published a friendly editorial next day, the press gave this report scant attention.