Science: Standing Room Only

When scientists are feeling a heavy sense of their social responsibility, they prefer to dust their hands of the atom bomb: its threatened misuse they regard as a purely political matter and out of their control. But science willingly accepts responsibility for another "chain reaction": the frightening, snowballing increase of the human population has been brought about by science's contribution to human health and fertility.

This week, feeling its venerable age and authority, the American Association for the Advancement of Science will celebrate its centenary in Washington. Unlike the speakers at most scientific gatherings, who remain coolly detached from human problems, the...