The numbers below summarize the choices made by 35 students in CHEM-465 who were polled on 40 societal issues related to chemistry and biochemistry on the first class of the semester.  The 9 propositions highlighted by blue text will be presented by student groups in class. Links to corresponding web-sites will be provided as they become available.  Instructions were: Please indicate in the appropriate boxes whether you agree (A), disagree (D), are undecided (U), or couldn't care less (C) about each of the following 40 propositions relating to chemistry and society. The positive or negative wording of each proposition may or may not represent the position of the instructors.
 

A	D	U	C	PROPOSITION
11	12	12	0	1. Secrecy has no place in academic research done in collaboration with the chemical industry.
5	23	5	2	2. Opportunities for women in chemistry are limited relative to those for men.
5	25	4	1	3. Taking anabolic steroids for body building is in principle no different from administering growth hormone to persons with inherited dwarfism.
10	17	7	1	4. Media representation of scientists discourages young people from choosing science as a career.
5	24	5	1	5. The principles of biological evolution have little relevance for the theory and practice of medicine.
5	24	6	0	6. There is an objectively correct answer to any question relating to chemistry.
12	12	10	1	7. A scientist's religious beliefs influence his or her scientific career.
12	12	10	1	8. In most cases there are alternatives to using animals in research.
18	8	9	0	9. Because many major breakthroughs in chemistry are the result of serendipity rather than rational planning, applied research cannot over-shadow the value of basic research.
12	5	16	2	10. Due to the production of dioxins and the emission of other toxic compounds, Delaware should not consider incinerating its garbage, trash, and chicken waste.
3	15	16	1	11.  Global warming concerns us less now because we know that particulate matter also produced by combustion negates the effect of green house gases.
10	9	14	2	12. The chemical industry took responsible action when confronted with evidence that the ozone layer was being depleted by fluorocarbons. (web-site)
3	3	28	1	13. Without the industrial chemical reduction of atmospheric nitrogen, starvation would be rampant in third world countries.
22	1	11	1	14. DDT, an insecticide banned in the U.S., should be banned globally.
17	3	14	1	15. The environmental impact of chlorinated solvents is sufficient to consider sharply reducing their industrial use.
17	12	5	1	16. The fact that effective AIDS drugs can be produced and sold in Third World countries for less than 10% of the U.S. price suggests that drug companies are grossly overcharging patients in this country. (Web-site 1) (Web-site 2)
3	26	6	0	17. Nuclear power generation is the only viable long-term solution to the energy problem.
7	5	21	2	18. Fossil hydrocarbons are too valuable as a source of recyclable plastic to be burned for fuel.
5	19	9	2	19. Aspartame (a. k. a. NutraSweet), widely used in sugar-free drinks and diet foods, is perfectly safe.  (Web-site)
5	13	17	0	20. Electromagnetic radiation associated with cellular phones is sufficient to cause brain damage.
25	7	2	1	21. Low salary is the major deterrent to chemistry and biochemistry majors who might otherwise consider careers as high school science teachers.
17	4	13	1	22. To protect human health, the Environmental Protection Agency should reduce current maximum limits allowable for airborne particulate matter.
20	5	10	0	23. The public health benefits of fluoride justify its addition to municipal water supplies.
4	4	25	2	24. The elimination of many childhood diseases has directly contributed to the increased incidence of asthma and lupus.
1	9	25	0	25. The prohibition of MTBE as an antiknock compound in throughout the United States is premature because there are no suitable substitutes.
20	9	6	0	26. Ritalin is a dangerous drug that should be prescribed only for severe cases of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.  (Web-site)
5	20	9	3	27. The potential medical benefits described by stem cell researchers are overblown. (Web-site 1) (Web-site 2)
2	15	15	3	28. The risks associated with abandoned hazardous waste sites is insufficient to justify the additional risk and high cost of their cleanup.
14	1	19	1	29. If implemented by all countries including the U. S., the Kyoto treaty would decrease greenhouse gases world-wide. (Web-site)
15	14	4	2	30. Although many Americans have the freedom and means to buy almost anything they want, the availability of certain items with disproportionately negative environmental impact, e.g. SUVs, should be restricted.
15	10	9	1	31. Irradiation to preserve food, as done by the military, should be used to increase the shelf life and reduce waste of supermarket foods as well.
9	19	6	1	32. Research on cloning animals should be stopped. (Web-site)
3	25	7	0	33. The dangers of asbestos used for tiles and insulation in buildings are insufficient to warrant the high cost of its removal.
2	6	26	1	34. Drinking water should be treated with hydrogen peroxide rather than chlorine.
14	12	8	1	35. The experience with "Mad Cow Disease" in Great Britain means that there is risk of MCD associated with eating beef in the United States. (Web-site)
16	0	18	1	36. Man-made chemicals that are widely distributed in nature ("hormone disrupters") are profoundly disturbing the reproduction of certain susceptible organisms.
14	16	3	2	37. The fact that college students who smoke cigarettes are aware of the very high health risks associated with smoking, suggests that humans are fundamentally irrational.
2	23	10	0	38. Genetically modified (GM) foods pose serious health concerns. (Web-site)
6	22	7	0	39. The U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) should not have approved the sale of RU 486, "the morning after pill."
22	4	9	0	40. Pollution caused by the run off of lawn care chemicals (fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides) indicates their use should be severely reduced.