NEWSLETTER
of
THE AMERICAN SCIENTIFIC AFFILIATION
VOLUME 15, NUMBER
4 August 1973
THE BEST ANNUAL MEETING YET
With the June issue of ASA News you received the program for the 1973 Annual Meeting
of the American Scientific 'Affiliation, at
GENEVA COLLEGE, BEAVER FALLS, PENNSYLVANIA AUGUST 20-23. We hope you've already mailed in your registration.
Richard -Wright
of Gordon College and his program committee have put together a remarkably comprehensive view of
"CREATION,
EVOLUTION, AND
MOLECULAR
BIOLOGY," including the educational dimensions so much in the news today. George Jennings
and his arrangements
committee at Geneva College are working to make those four days enjoyable and memorable for the whole family. This looks like the best annual meeting yet. See you
there!
THE BEST NEWS YET
The American Scientific Affiliation has been awarded a grant of $10,000 on a '!matching basis." The donor Foundation, wishing to remain anonymous, will match
dollar for-dollar each gift of "new" money we receive for this project up to a total of
$10,000 (making a total of $20,000 for ASA use).
The $20,000 was requested specifically for a vigorous campaign to double ASA membership and increase subscriptions to our Journal. An increase of 2,500 members and
subscribers would greatly expand ASA's influence. Budgeted were $9,000 of Executive
Secretary's salary, $2,500 for additional secretarial help, $2,500 for mailing costs,
$4,500 for advertising, and $1,500 for attendant travel and telephone expenses.
The grant proposal argued that many would join ASA if they knew we exist: A pair of
2-inch advertisements in Christianity Today drew about 200 inquiries and resulted in
45 new members and subscribers. The proposal also pointed to the key role of ASA
members in resolving the California textbook controversy. With nationwide attention
drawn to this issue involving science and Christian faith, the importance of our
Affiliation should be increasingly evident. Hence there are potentially many new
subscribers to our professional yet-lively Journal.
The "new" money must be raised by November 30, 1973. Contributions or firm pledges
received before June 1 cannot be included. What we need are many new contributions
of all sizes. The fact that 50 members had already committed themselves to give
$100 a year (as members of Harold Hartzler's "100 Club") convinced the foundation
that we believe strongly in our own goals.
A general mailing to the membership requesting donations will probably reach you by
next month. But you don't have to wait! Contributions for this project (mailed to
ASA, 5-Douglas Ave., Elgin, Illinois 60120) from now until November 30 enable you to
"double the Lord's money." Early contributions would especially encourage Bill
Sisterson who will be making additional direct appeals to other foundations and individuals.
Our thanks
be to God, "giver of every-good and perfect gift," and to the directors
of the Foundation making this generous grant. And of course to each of you helping
us reach our goal in the next three months.
REACHING OUR GOAL
In October, ASA News should have a report on how near we are to our $10,000 goal--or
how far past it._ Scientists (at least those with a job!)are reasonably well-paid
these days. Students, missionaries, and others probably
can't join the ASA "100" club," but all of us can either budget a
part.
of our tithe for ASA or make at
least a small contribution. The money is only a means to our real goal: expanding
ASA's influence among the Christian community and the world of science. Finding new
members for ASA is another important way to help reach that goal.
Among your Christian friends, think of those who are scientists, engineers, physicians, teachers, or simply thoughtful people. Look for such people and tell them
about ASA. As you speak to your scientific colleagues about Jesus Christ, tell
those who respond as Christians or as sympathetic hearers what ASA has meant to you.
Send names and mailing addresses of prospects to the Elgin office without delay. A
note to , Bill Sisterson about each helps him send a personal letter along with an application form and information. If you don't have time for that, just the name and
address will do.
Even if a prospect does not become a member right away, he may at a later date.
(We've kept after several friends for years, and had them thank us when they finally
joined.) And someone receiving information on ASA who doesn't care to join may pass
the word on to someone else who does.
Once you've "turned in" all your friends, why not write a short article mentioning
ASA for a denominational publication, or for any publication? (See what a couple
of sentences in HIS magazine led to, in the stories following.) Describe ASA whenever you're asked to speak on science/faithand take down names and addresses of all
who express interest. (HOW TO START SOMETHING) is
about a campus group becoming exposed to ASA. An effective writing project in New York and a symposium in California are also described in this issue.) And whenever you see
an
intelligent statement on science/faith in a magazine or newspaper, why not consider the writer a
prospective ASA member? (See "Setting the Stage"; we hope some of you wrote to Dr.
John Reidl or submitted his name to ASA after reading his letter to the editor of
C&EN.)
IVCF GIVES ASA A BOOST
The lead article in the May HIS magazine of Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship was
entitled "Can Science Be Saved?" In it, Walt Hearn (editor of ASA News) emphasized
that many evangelical Christians are now active in science and able to give
encouragement to students. Thus a kind of "critical mass" effect may begin to draw more
Christians into science at the very time when science seems to be hurting. Walt
wrote: "A source of great strength to me in my last twenty years of scientific work
has been the American Scientific Affiliation. Founded by a handful of evangelical
Christians in 1941, it has grown to a membership of almost 2,000 in all branches of
science, including the social sciences." Editor Steve Board added a footnote: "A
report on this' organization and some 18 others will appear in next month's HIS."
The June issue of HIS Presented "A Catalog of Common Interests," listing ASA, Christian Medical Society,
Conference on Christianity and Literature, National Educators
Fellowship, and other groups of "Christian academic and professional people who are
thinking, writing, and working on the relationship between the Christian view of
things and their field." The address of ASA's national office was given, plus a
short statement of our objectives, publications, and the bargain ($3) student member. Within a few weeks Bill Sisterson had received 50 inquiries and a number
of those persons have now joined ASA.
NOW IT'S OUR TURN
IVCF's HIS magazine wants to expand its service to university students by putting
them in touch with mature Christian scholars. Many students without "the first
bibliographic clue" take on term paper projects related to a convergence of some
academic field with theology.
HIS magazine plans to announce a new service next winter. Its editor has written to
ASA and other Christian professional organizations (see story above), asking for our
help:
"What I am therefore in pursuit of is a large number of competent Christians
who could respond to these students with book suggestions and advice to the
extent of one letter a month. It would require no postage (a stamped envelope would be required from the inquiring student). Only the time would be
asked to compose a response."
"Interested professionals can write to our office (HIS magazine, 5206 Main
St., Downers Grove, Illinois 60515) and we will send them a form that will
delineate their specialty. This would be a good opportunity for men and
women who wish to maintain contact with the campus and assist in the maturation of a new generation of Christians with well-integrated Christian thinking." (... and what an opportunity to introduce science students to the,
American Scientific Affiliation.--Ed.)
A PUBLICATION BEGINS AND AN OPPORTUNITY OPENS
Alternatives calls itself "The Magazine for the New York Metropolitan Christian Community." It intends to become a clearing house of information and a printed voice
for Christians in the area. "This is a ministry that seeks to create a stronger
bond between Christians through an awareness of each other's activities, needs,
available services, and a comprehensive picture of the entire Body of Christ in this
particular area." Published by "the Galilean Group,." Vol. 1, No. 1 is being distributed free to attract subscribers.
Alternatives begins bimonthly publication in
August. Subscription rate will be $2.50 per year (Box 848, Montclair, N. J. 07042),
but a goal of the Galilean Group is to win acceptance at newsstands and through
other secular distribution channels (price, 50s,% per copy).
In addition to articles by such writers as Tom Skinner and Richard Ostling (religious news correspondent for Time magazine), the first issue features a detailed
calendar of Christian "happenings" for May-July 1973, a directory of Christian organizations in the area, and a profile of a particular Christian ministry. It also
has an article by Jim Neidhardt on the necessity of faith in both science and religion. Jim, physicist at Newark College of Engineering, condensed a talk he gave
this spring to the NCE Sigma Xi Club. Jim says that the New York Metropolitan section of ASA plans to supply a regular column for
Alternatives, passing the responsibility for writing it around among members of the section.
The "directory" section lists specialized Christian ministries, missions, coffeehouses, youth-oriented groups, etc. Under the subhead "Scholarly" appear only the
New York Bible Society and: "American Scientific Affiliation. An Association of
men and women who have made a personal commitment of themselves and their lives to
Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior relating Christian faith and science.. Contact
Jim Neidhardt, Park Ave., R.D. #2, Boi 745B, Dover, New Jersey 07801."
Alternatives meets a need and ought to survive. It has talented people working on
it and has already begun to attract advertising. We wish it well. And we praise
God for a new opportunity to tell the NYC area about our Affiliation.
SETTING THE STAGE
Newsletters and news magazines of scientific societies still reverberate with editorial comment and letters stemming from the California science textbook
contioversy.
In such a wide-open public debate, issues get distorted and often one hesitates to
be identified with any of the protagonists. But the stage continues to be set for
ASA to work toward whatever reconciliation is possible while remaining true both to
the spirit of science and to the Bible.
In February, The Biological Sciences Curriculum Study Newsletter-priftted.a letter
from Henry N. Morris of the Institute for Creation Research, San Diego, challenpAng
Dr. William V. Mayer, head of the BSCS Center at the U. of Colorado, to a debat(, an
the proposition: "RESOLVED that the special creation model of the history of V~a
earth and its inhabitants is more effective in the correlation and prediction of
scientific data than is the evolution model." Some of the subsequent correspondence
appeared in ICR's Acts & Facts this June.
AAAS Bulletin in June reprinted a co entary broadcast on the "Life Line" radio
program, denouncing the. "creation" resolution passed by the AAAS Commission on
Science Education. Life Line stated categorically that "a vastly greater percentage
of factors involved in the Bible story of man's origin have been proved by Secular
and scientific discoveries than in the Darwin theory of animal-to-man evolution."
However, the same issue of the Bulletin carried more moderate statements objecting
to the resolution, including one by W. D. Morrison of the University of Guelph,
Ontario.
More letters on "Theology vs. Science" appeared in the American,Chemical Society's
weekly Chemical & Engineering News for June 18. A beautiful one by John 0. Reidl,
Jr., assistant dean of the College of Mathematics and Physical Sciences, Ohio State
University, Columbus, responded to a polemic (Why should we "take seriously the
opinions
of
theologians in view of their shoddy past?"). Reidl's reply:
"This argument could, of course, be turned around. The chemistry of 1273
was nothing most modern scientists are inclined to brag about, and may not
look too good alongside of modern theology, which puts about as much stress
on the blind acceptance of authority as modern chemistry puts on the transmutation of lead into gold. The historical record shows that scientists as
well as theologians have much to be modest about. Prolonging the outmoded
warfare between science and theology is perhaps not the least of our sins."
HOW TO START SONETHING. No. 17. RON RENMEL
Although ASA News items usually come in the mail, occasionally we can write a story
from firs-t-ha-ndknowledge. We hope this one, like other accounts in the series,
gives you ideas for starting something yourself. This is really a progress report
on an
it
open-ended" experiment under way at the University of California in Berkeley.
When Ron Remmel came to U.C. Berkeley last year as a post-doc, he knew he would be
busy. He had received his Ph.D. in particle physics from Princeton but he was
essentially starting over in a new field. He wanted to move into biological applications of physical knowledge, hoping his work would be of more direct usefulness
to human beings. At Berkeley his research in neuro-physiology involves implanting
stereotaxic micro-electrodes in cats to study potentials in single neurons related
to eye movement. Ron has had to spend many discouraging days learning techniques
new to him, and many nights working straight through when he finally got both his
animal Prepaxation and his instruments to "work" at the same time. His wife Effie
commutes a long distance to Marin County
to teach in a Christian school, so they've
been on a hectic schedule.
Nevertheless,
remembering
his own days as a Christian student in a secular university, Ron wanted to do something in his role as a
post-doc
to encourage students at Cal. Visiting various churches after their move to Berkeley, he and Effie had already met a few
university people in a Christian context. Dave Jones of the IVCF
staff and Warren Willis Of Campus Crusade staff each provided other contacts at the
university. And of course, through ASA News, Ron knew
of Walt Hearn visiting in
biochemistry, Allan Nishimura post-doc-ing
it, chemistry,
and one or two others.
In the fall of 1972, Ron invited several of these people to have lunch with him at
the student union. Pooling the names of faculty and staff they knew or thought to
be Christians, plus some mature graduate students and staff workers of the major
Christian student groups, they had about 40 names.
Ron reserved a small lunchroom in the union for a group meeting on Jan. 5 and sent
a notice to this mailing list. The notice pointed out that Christian student groups
would appreciate encouragement from Christian faculty and staff, and that Christian
faculty might want to meet together for fellowship. To Ron's surprise, 30 people
crowded into the room. Representatives of Campus Crusade, Inter-Varsity, CWLF, Crucible, and several churches described their campus activities, and all expressed
appreciation for the opportunity. A consensus was reached in open discussion to
have a luncheon meeting on the first Friday noon of each month. The noon hour of
each third Friday was set aside to plan the next meeting, with anyone welcome to
attend the "steering committee" sessions. Each person received a copy of the mailing list and was asked to supply other names.
A larger room was obtained for the Feb. 2 meeting, and it also was packed to overflowing. At that meeting an English biochemist post-doc-ing in the botany department,
David Shotton (now an ASA member), told of the profound influence of L'Abri on
his life, and another student group, the Chinese Christian Fellowship, described the
pattern of their campus witness.
Attendance dropped off somewhat in the spring, but the mailing list continued to
grow. A professor, university staff member, or graduate student was asked in advance to speak of his personal experience with Christ or of his approach to integrating his faith with academic work. In fact, it seemed best to have two short
presentations instead of one longer one. At the June 1 meeting, for example,Ron
Remmel himself was paired with David Williams, a radio-astronomer (and potential ASA
member). The notice said:
"Faculty-Graduate Christian Fellowship luncheon. Bring your own brown-bag
lunch. Noon, 12-1 p.m. (come when you can; leave when you must). Questions
and discussion will follow: A CHRISTIAN VIEW OF MAN IN GOD'S UNIVERSE
(Dr. David Williams, astronomy), and GOD AND RANDOMNESS IN PHYSICS AND
BIOLOGY (Dr. Ronald Remmel, physiology-anatomy). Bring your friends, both
Christians and non-Christians, to hear how Jesus Christ is related to objects
10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 meters in size and objects 0.000000000000001
meters in size and the human brain with 10,000,000,000 neurons and 1,000,000,000,000,000 interconnections!11
Although the mailing list has grown to about 120, most of the new people have been
graduate~students rather than faculty. Even a few undergraduates are on the list.
It is clear that the goal of drawing Christian faculty closer together in a prayer
cell or group Bible study has not been reached, to the disappointment of some. On
the other hand, even if spiritual needs of faculty are not being met to any great
extent, the meetings seem to meet a need felt by students and student workers. One
student worker said that it is always hard for groups like IVCF and CCC to get together on the local campus level, but these meetings make~it possible at Cal. Having people introduce themselves and give their field of study at each meeting
helps
Christians get acquainted and helps dispel spiritual loneliness in a secular environment.
This may be a first step toward drawing faculty closer together, if individual professors now take the initiative to call on their colleagues on a one-to-one basis.
That kind of personal interaction seems easier when at least a few form a praying
nucleus. And perhaps some of the most dedicated Christian faculty members haven't
found time to come. They may be the busiest people on campus, taking seriously not
only their research but also their teaching, families, church activities, etc.
It is not yet clear what God wants to do with-this group at the U. of California in
the future, but its growth and ecumenical spirit seem to indicate that He has had
some purpose for it this past year. Ron Remmel and Bill Davis, a physics grad student (and ASA prospect), have done most of the behind-the-scenes work. Bill has recently computerized the mailing list and obtained official recognition for the group
with the Dean of Students to make it easier to reserve rooms on campus. (That's
why "Graduate" was added to the title of the fellowship.) It is Ron who gets the
notices ditto's and calls people to remind them of the steering committee meetings.
Several other people have also played important roles. They would appreciate your
prayers concerning the direction the group ought now to take, and would be glad to
hear what groups of Christian faculty are doing at other universities.
You can write to Ron Remmel at 2390 Parker St., Apt. 15, Berkeley, CA 94704. That's
where we're sending him a dozen copies of the "Scientist's Psalm" greeting cards,
our gift to anyone who provides a story for our series on HOW TO START SOMETHING.
How about you?
CREATION RESEARCH SOCIETY ELECTS
Wayne Frair, chairman of the Science Division at The King's College in Briarcliff
Manor, New York, was elected secretary of the Creation Research Society at the
annual meeting of the CRS
Board
of Direct-i-b lu
Ann Arbor, Michigan, recently. The
new president is Dr. Tom Barnes, professor of physics at the U. of Texas in El Pago,
and the new vice-president, Dr. Emmett Williams of the physical science faculty at
Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina. Barnes replaces Henry Morris,
director of the Institute for Creation Research and academic vice-president of
Christian Heritage College in San Diego, California, who has served the CRS as president for the past six years.
Henry Morris and Duane Gish of the Institute for Creation Research and possibly
other ASA members have se-rved continually on the CRS board since the Society was
founded in 1963. The present membership of 2,000 includes approximately 450 voting
members (scientists with post-graduate degrees
in some
natural science). The Creation Research Society published a quarterly journal and in 1970 published
a high
school textbook: Biology: A Search for order in Complexity.
COUNTING A COUNTY'SCOUNTENANCERS
Wilfrid E. Belleau, psychologist in Angwin, California, sent ASA News an interesting
document related to the California science textbook controversy. The
document, submitted to the Del Norte County School Board, is a detailed report of a "Creation/
Evolution Survey Poll" conducted in the county by members of the Crescent City Seventh-day Adventist Church. With the assistance of
a professional pollster$ some 40 church-members asked over 1,400 residents two questions: Should
evolution be"'
taught in public schools? Should creation be taught in public schools? They-recorded only
"yes," "No," or "No opinion"; the number of children attending public
school from the home; and whether or-not the responder attended any church.
Evolution and creation were not defined, but if individuals requested a definition, they
were given: "Evolution is the theory that man has developed from lower farms-Of life
Over long ages of-time; Creation-is the theory that God created man in His
image.
The survey indicated that 91% of the church-affiliated population, and 85% of the
non-church population, countenance the teaching of creation. But a majority Of both
populations also supports the teaching of evolution: 54% of-the church group and
64% Of the non-church group. Appended to the report was a letter from John. R. Ford,
MD member of the State Board of Education, stating that "it is legal for school boards to authorize and provide-materials for the teach g of Creation in
local schools. 'The letter also stated. "As far as legality is concerned, the
Attorney General ruled back in 1963 that it would be all right to teach
evolution provided one did not indoctrinate. The same goes for any matter
which could,
border
on religious theories or ideas."
In a cover letter to the local school board, the church emphasized that it was not
trying to dictate policies and in fact did not make any recommendations based
on the
poll- They just wanted the board to know accurately the opinions of the
community. Wilfrid Belleau didn't make any cents but ASA News thinks the
Crescent City church may have performed a genuine "public service" with their poll, maybe getting the
facts is a first step toward resolution on the local level. At the very least, the
Adventists got acquainted with other people in the community (total contacts: 919
church-goers, 519 not attending church).
ASA NEWS: HOW WE "INOPERATE"
"Inoperative" is at least one good thing to come out
of
the Watergate cover-up. As
a euphemism for "incorrect,"
"wrong,"
or
"deceitful,"
the word is hard to beat. For
example, our reference to Ezra 8 on p. 1 in the June issue was "inoperative":
Nehemiah 8 is the chapter describing "Ezra at the Water Gate." (Likewise, 14 was an
inoperative volume number on Numbers 1-3 in 1973--our age is actually 15.)
And while we're "up front" and "stepping forward" on our in operation, we'd like to
"make one thing perfectly clear": ASA News has no list of people for "special treatment." True, some names appear
repeatedly on our pages and others never do. Blame
that on our huge volunteer staff (Xiz., the entire ASA membership; i.e., YOU). Some
of you take your reporting job more seriously than others. We stir up news items by
sending a reply postcard to any member whose address changes. Now we're also going
alphabetically through the ASA Directory, sending postcards to everybody we haven't
heard from recently. (Some of you sharp-eyed scientists will have figured out from
PERSONALS that we're up to the C's by now.) Too bad we can't subpoena your replies!
One selective factor may be unavoidable even if unintentional: "To him that hath
(notoriety),-shall more be given." Sometimes we pick up names of ASA members from
other periodicals, newsletters, etc., and of course the names we recognize are
usually those already reported in ASA News. The days are gone when we could know
personally almost everyone in ASA--but we keep trying.
Timing may also exercise a selective effect: whenever we have a full issue, "hot"
news items take precedence. And we try for a balance, believing the Lord is honored
by your technical accomplishments as well as by your Christian Ministry Stories
that put the two together are the ones we think readers appreciate most. Send us
that kind, especially.
A BIOPHYSICIST OPEN TO SUGGESTIONS
Alonzo Fairbanks (Haigazian College, P.O. Box 1748, Beirut, Lebanon) has a Ph.D. in
biophysics. He has been teaching at a college in Beirut founded under Christian
auspices 14 years ago primarily for Armenian students in the Middle East. He anticipates leaving Beirut at the end of the coming year. Al would like to get into
some sort of refresher course in biophysics or molecular biology, if such a thing
exists, or into a research laboratory. After 10 years of teaching, Al wants to move
back into research, but feels a need to catch up with recent advances and research
techniques. Can someone in ASA help him with contacts or suggestions?
At Haigazian College Al has taught embryology, genetics, plant physiology, and
molecular biology. In addition he has worked part-time as a staff worker for the
International Fellowship of Evangelical Students. He was also able to do a little
research on the electron spin resonance spectra of a number of substituted
heterocyclic compounds. Before going to Beirut he worked on the effects of radiation on
crystalline amino acids, using ESR to detect free radicals produced.
A PHYSICS POSITION OPEN TO POST-DOCS
Calvin College has a position available for a two-year teaching/research postdoctoral fellow in physics, to begin Sept. 1973 (or possibly Jan. 1974). Applicants
should be recent Ph.D.'s with training in solid state physics, either experimental
or theoretical. Address inquiries to Dr. John Van Zytveld, Physics Department,
Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan .
PSYCHOLOGY/PSYCHIATRY POSITIONS OPEN
"We have a position for a clinical psychologist to be head of our Department of
Psychology. We would like someone with a Ph.D. and as much clinical experience as
possible. We also have an opening for a certified psychiatrist. Both are available
immediately, and I would welcome any applications from ASA members. The openings
are on the staff of a 300-bed private, psychiatric hospital with an associated Community Psychiatric Clinic, in Guelph, Ontario, a city of 65,000. Guelph, in which
the University of Guelph is located, is 60 miles west of Toronto and 30 miles north
of Hamilton." Contact Merville 0. Vincent: Medical Superintendent, Homewood Sanitarium, P.O. Box 3602, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Jerry Albert has sent us a full report on the May 19 symposium on "Medical Ethics
in Genetic Therapy." Held in the Undergraduate Sciences Building at UCSD, this
first public meeting in San Diego drew a peak attendance of 64 persons. Since the
symposium was co-sponsored with the Christian Medical Society (CMS) and the Christian Legal Society (CLS), there were doctors and lawyers in attendance as well as
12 teachers, 21 students, and 10 ASA members. Eighteen registrants asked for more
information on ASA and 28 indicated interest in future conferences on medical ethics.
The three sponsoring societies were introduced (ASA by Executive Secretary Bill
Sisterson) before Theodore Friedmann, M.D., assistant professor of pediatrics, UCSD
School of Medicine, spoke on the scientific and medical advances leading to potential ethical problems in the field of genetic therapy.
Actually, Friedmann was skeptical about rapid development of genetic therapy. He
said such development is a long way off, with many complex problems to solve before
application can be made to humans of such techniques as cloning of organs, chromosome surgery or transplantation, and use of viral agents to supply missing genes or
correct defective ones. Abortion, birth control, genetic counseling, and early detection of genetic disease by biochemical tests via amniocentesis are the only means
available now and in the foreseeable future for the prevention of genetic disease.
Friedmann even questioned whether it was ethical or desirable to eliminate some defective genes from the population.
Bernard Ramm, theologian at the American Baptist Seminary of the West, Covina, outlined four ethical theories or approaches to genetic control or therapy. He believes Paul Ramsey of Harvard Divinity School has the best thought-out and biblically-based ethical system so far. Ramm finds either shallow or dangerous the
ethical theories of utilitarianism (Fletcher's situation ethics), scientific optimism or utopianism (Sinsheimer), and humanitarianism.
The panel reacting to these presentations brought insights from their own professions: a nurse, pediatrician, lawyer, political scientist, and clergyman. The consensus of the symposium was-that no pat answers or general solutions exist. Friedmann was doubtful that our institutions (churches, universities, governments) would
find adequate solutions. Others, however, proposed that individual court cases
would gradually establish precedents and that our legal systems will be called on to
safeguard and protect human rights in new situations involving genetic disease or
defect.
The audience participated not only in open discussion but also by filling out an
11opinion poll." Jerry Albert made up most of the questions from a paper by Lutheran
theologian Hans Schwartz on "Theological Implications of Modern Biogenetics." Jerry
felt bad about a low return of the questionnaires. But according to Bernard Ramm,
Leroy Augenstein (author of Come Let Us Play God) found with church audiences the
same unwilling response (207.3 to questions about ethical problems in medicine.
Jerry's sample is too small for conclusions, but his "computer predicts the following trends of current opinion":
. We should promote genetic
counseling.
2. A doctor should have the right to refuse to perform a legal abortion.
3. We should continue current medical practice of extending aid requested
by anyone suffering from a genetic disease and capable of procreating,
regardless of pollution of the human gene pool and resulting decrease in
the quality of physical human life.
4. No adultery is committed in artificial insemination by a nameless donor,
but rarely should we resort to artificial insemination and especially
to use of "egg and sperm banks.
Jerry thinks that other ASA local sections might want to explore joint sponsorship
of similar symposia with local chapters of CMS and CLS.
NOTES
FROM
THE NATIONAL OFFICE
During this first year as executive secretary, I have spent many hours reading through the written records of the ASA. This is largely because of a desire on
my part to know how we got to where we are today so that I might know better what we!
should do in the future. It is especially interesting to me to try to recreate the
forces that led to the creation and early growth of the ASA during the 1940's.
You might be interested to know some of those early ideas that drove our founders to
form such a group. There was from the start a strong desire to have a group that
stood for both good theology and good science. Letter after letter in our files
reflect the strong stand on the authority of Scripture that carries through to today.
At the same time there was no toleration of sloppy science on the part of Christians,
a stand that took great courage in the face of what most Bible-believing Christians
felt toward science at the time.
Another strong element was the desire to publish helpful materials on understanding
the relationship of science to the Christian faith. However, they experienced a frustration in this area that has carried through to today also. One member wrote
in-during 1945 to complain about "the great deal of effort apparently necessary to
produce anything that is considered 'safe' This is a "ball and chain" that has inhibited efforts of writing and publication throughout our history, with the exception of the Journal.
An important driving factor in the overall attitude of the Affiliation was the desire to be neutral on controversial subjects and thus provide for fellowship and
interaction among Christians of different conviction. In a 1946 letter Alton Everest,
comparing the ASA with another organization (since deceased), wrote "this difference
may be summed up in a word or two by saying that they have 'an axe to grind' in -
Biblical interpretations, while we seek to assist through methods which avoid such
positive convictions on such tenuous and uncertain subjects." Perhaps this desire
to be neutral has hindered an active publication program, but this should not be
the
case.
We have much to thank God for the good foundation laid for the ASA. We have a tradition of Biblical and scientific integrity combined with honest expression of different viewpoints that we can be proud of. In my judgment the need for the ASA is
greater than ever. We must strive hard to fulfill the high purpose our founders
clearly saw.
Jerry D. Albert has returned to biochemical research, under an NIH grant to Mercy
Hospital Medical Research Facility in San Diego, after a 3-month trial period as an
intern in a clinical chemistry program. Jerry is studying benign prostatic hypertrophy and cancer with an endocrinologist seeking a medical treatment (to replace
surgery) for prostate disease--which affects half of all males over 45. His first
task is to develop analytical procedures for prostate tissue assay of the major
steroids (androgens), so treatment with steroid drugs can
be assessed by taking 100
mg biopsy samples.
Frederick P. Brooks, Jr., is chairman of the department of computer science at the
U. of North Carolina t Chapel Hill. According to Decision wagavine, Fred is also
serving as chairman of the Central Carolina Crusade, Se~i_.23-30,
with Billy Graham
speaking in Raleigh each of those nights.
Norman A. Carter of Scranton, PA, was planning to attend the summer program of the
Kinsey Institute for Sex Research at Indiana University, July 8-19. In June,
Norman's church (First Presbyterian of Elmhurst, PA.) sponsored a booth at the local
volunteer fire company picnic, a nightly affair lasting a week. As chairman of the
evangelistism committee of the church, Norm was busy training people to share the
gospel with those who visited the booth to pick up free Bible reading helps, Scripture portions, and other information.
J. Frank.Cassel, zoologist at North Dakota State University, Fargo, says he has enjoyed his first year on the board of North Park College, Chicago. other ASAers on
the North Park board include president Lloyd Allen and Deforest ("Woody") Metcalf.
Frank spoke to the North Park biology honorary on winter bird population in North
Dakota, and to the faculty on the relation of faith and learning in Science. At
Wheaton College, Frank has also lectured this year in Russell Mixter's seminar and
on bird hybridization in Al Smith's population and evolution class.
Paul M. Crawn of Columbia, New Jersey, has been asked to be Science Department
Chairman, Newton senior high school, Newton, N. J. The department is currently involved
in an innovative program of individualization with a computer/systems-analysis approach, and with goals designed by community, staff, and students. Paul says he
would like to see ASA deal with secondary education more directly than it has in the
past. (Why not bring that up at the ANNUAL 'MEETING at GENEVA COLLEGE?--Ed.)
Thomas F. Cummings of the Department of Chemistry at Bradley University, Peoria,
Illinois, plans to spend the 1973-74 year doing air pollution research at the University of Birmingham, England. Increasingly active in this field, Tom presented a
paper on air pollution at the Pittsburgh Analytical Conference in March and has a
paper with B. J. Mathis on "Trace Metals in Water, Sediments, and Biota of Illinois
River: in the July 1973 Federal Water Pollution Control Administration journal. He
also received an Outstanding Educator of America award for 1973 and spearheaded at
Bradley a faculty-staff Bible study that ran all year and continues into this summer.
Milton Harris is now in San Diego working with the Naval Undersea Center, Advanced
Concepts Division. His Master of Engineering thesis from the U. of Washington, on
artificial heart valves, has been accepted by the Conference on Engineering in
Biology and Medicine in Minneapolis. Milton hopes to present the paper there.
Meanwhile, he's glad to be in San Diego where there is an active local ASA section-
H. Harold Hartzler, path professor at Mankato State in Minnesota, has been active in
the Christian Business Men's Committee of Mankato. Harold reports that David
Wilkerson of Teen Challenge (The Cross and the Switchblade) spoke two nights in May
at the college to an audience of about 4,000 each night. Harold asks prayer for
over 700 young people who came forward to make new or renewed commitments to Jesus
Christ. Harold is helping to encourage these young people in their Christian life
this summer. He will teach second summer session before attending the ASA annual
meeting at Geneva College, the first one he hasn't had an active role in planning-
Walter R. Hearn, editor of ASA News, is substituting July 23 to August 10 at the
second simmer session of Regent College, Vancouver, B.C., teaching Dick Bube's
scheduled course on "Issues in Science and Christian Faith . Dick's back literally
"laid him low." At Dick's
Stanford home this summer,
Wait
found him stretched out
supine on the floor
of his study, the only "working" position his doctor allows.
Walt is again scheduled to teach biochemistry at the
University of
California,
Berkeley, in the fall quarter.
Robert G. Olsen expects to join the faculty of the Department of Electrical
Engineering at Washington State University, Pullman, in September,, after receiving his
Ph.D. in E.E. at the University of Colorado. While at Boulder, Bob has worked for
the Westinghouse Georesearch Lab part-time for the past two years. For the past
year he has even held down a third job: manager of the Boulder LOGOS Bookstore.
URGENT LATE NEWS!! August 6, 1973
It is with great regret that I inform you of the death of our long-time
secretary, Hazel Fetherhuff. Hazel became ill on Saturday, July 28 and entered
the hospital on Sunday evening. My wife and I were with her during the evening
and she seemed much improved. However, her condition worsened on Monday and
she passed away that evening from a stroke.
This came as a great shock to us and yet we sense God's peace in the
situation. Hazel had a hard life with much personal tragedy. We can now
rejoice for her, knowing that she is present with the Lord and has rest from
her labors. Harold Hartzler attended the funeral in South Dakota and represented the ASA.
With the loss of Hazel we are having much difficulty getting the office
work done. Hazel was an excellent secretary and knew her job well. I am
finding that out each day as I try to keep the work moving. Please bear with
us patiently.
This Newsletter was the last job Hazel worked on for the ASA. She had
just completed typing the stencils and was ready to mimeograph it. Please
excuse the poor quality of mimeograpbing since this was my first time to
attempt it.
I give thanks to the Lord for Hazel's long and faithful service. She
will be greatly missed. Pray for us that we will be able to continue the good
work she did with minimal interruption.
I