Dr. Mary Ellen Avery
AAAS Board Member 1989-1993
Professor of Pediatrics
Harvard Medical School
With respect to major issues facing society, I would emphasize the threat of accidental release of nuclear energy, excessive rate of growth of the world's population, and failure to have universal respect for human rights. Issues such as Rwanda-Urundi, and the genocide in Bosnia are unthinkable, but seem to recur periodically in many parts of the world.
I think the role of science is in part to have an educated public with respect to the dangers that humanity faces, and to continue to foster universal availability of basic public health measures, such as clean water, safe food, immunizations, etc. The unequal distribution of the world's resources, compounded by extreme poverty in some of the most populous parts of the world, namely, Africa and Southeast Asia remains a serious concern.
The role of the AAAS is to continue to do what it has been doing, namely, to publish an outstanding scientific journal that acknowledges the contributions of sciences in other parts of the world. Enhancing the interaction among scientists is also to be desired, and is achieved to some extent by the annual meetings. I was very pleased that the Association chose to build an impressive headquarters, because it is a physical symbol of the importance of sciences in our society and should be used as a center for continuing education of the public. I can envision the possibility of using that auditorium for most of every day, with continuing films or lectures, or meetings, that could be open to the public. Of course, some might be for specialists, but in general I think the outreach to the lawmakers and other officials in Washington is very important.
I was amazed to learn, second or third hand, that many individuals in the House of Representatives have never owned a passport. I also know that most of them have minimal scientific backgrounds and that this has to be acknowledged. I am not certain that AAAS, itself, can change much of that unless the Organization wants to enter into some of the political debates and press for the election of more scientists and physicians to the United States Congress.
I am glad that [AAAS has] a group interested in human rights, and I hope that they will be well-supported and able to interact with other organizations such as the Human Rights group at the National Academy of Sciences.
I am, of course, pleased that Hillary Clinton has made issues concerning mothers and children the centerpiece of her activities in the next four years. I hope that AAAS can interact with her to promote early education, including scientific education.
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Introduction
AAAS at the Millenium Board Position Paper
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Dr. C. Eugene Allen,
Dr. Patricia A. Anderson,
Dr. Richard Atkinson,
Dr. Mary Ellen Avery,
Dr. Dorothy F. Bainton,
Dr. Allen J. Bard,
Dr. Joost Businger,
Dr. Barry Commoner,
Dr. Mildred Dresselhaus,
Dr. Joseph G. Gavin,
Dr. Carroll Ann Hodges,
Dr. Gerald Holton,
Dr. Leon Lederman,
Dr. William A. Lester, Jr.,
Dr. Simon Levin,
Dr. Marcia C. Linn,
Dr. Mike McCormack,
Dr. Gerard Piel,
Dr. Glenn T. Seaborg
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