.. Biologically Detertnined? CHAPTERS AND CONTACTS

Science for the People is an organization of people involved or interested in science and technology­ related issues, whose activities are directed at: 1) exposing the class control of science and technology, 2) organizing campaigns which criticize, challenge and propose alternatives to the present uses of science and technology, and 3) developing a political strategy by which people in the technical strata can ally with other progressive forces in society. SftP opposes the ideologies of sexism, racism, elitism and their practice, and holds an anti-imperialist world-view. Membership in Sftp is defined as subscribing to the magazine and/or actively participating in local SftP activities.

ARKANSAS IOWA QUEBEC Joe Neal. P.O. Box 1722. Fayetteville. AR Paul C. Nelson, 604 Hodge, Ames, lA Bob Cedergren. Dept. of Biochemistry, 72701 50010. (515) 232-2527. Univ. of Montreal. Montreal 101. Quebec. Canada. CALIFORNIA Science Progressiste-Science for the MASSACHUSETTS People. c/o McG1II Daily. 3480 McTavish Berkeley Chapter: SESPA. Box 4161. Amherst Chapter: P.O. Box 599. N. SL Montreal. Quebec. Canada. Berkeley. CA 94704. Amherst. MA 01059. L.A. Chapter: c;o AI Heubner. P 0 Box Marv1n Kalkstein. Univers1ty Without 368. Canoga Park. CA 91303. (213) 347- Walls. Wysocki House. University of 9992. Massachusetts. Amherst. MA 01002. Shel Plotkin. 3318 Colbert Ave .. Los Boston Chapter: Sc1ence for the People. Angeles. CA 90066. (213) 391-4223. 897 Main St .. Cambridge. MA 02139. (617) Chapters and Contacts Santa Cruz Chapter: P.O. Bo 954, Santa 547-0370. Cruz, CA 95060. Abroad Paulo Dice, Thimann Laboratories. U. Cal., MICHIGAN Santa Cruz, CA 95064. Ann Arbor Chapter: John Vandermeer. AUSTRALIA Davis Chapter: C/O P. Hardt, 318 J St., No. 2431 Darrow St .. Ann Arbor. Ml 48104. Tony Dolk. 234 Bobbin Head Rd .. North 40. Davis. CA (313) 971-1165. Turramurra. New South Wales. 207 4 Australia. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA MISSOURI Tracy Mclellan, 2137 N. Pierce St., Apt. 2, St. Louis Chapter: Ellen Irons cro Dan BELGIUM Arlington, VA 22209. (703) 243-6982. Days Bole!. Dept. of Physics. Was hi ngto n (202) 632-5858. University. St. Louis. MO 63130 Gerard Valendue. Centre Galilee. B.P Galilee 047. B-1348 Louvain-La Neuve. CONNECTICUT Belgium. NEW HAMPSHIRE N. Sadanand. Dept of Physics. University Steve Cavrak. Environmental Stud1es Pro­ of Connecticut. Storrs. CT 06268. gram. Franconia College. Franconia. NH ENGLAND Neal and Margie Rosen. 71 Stanley St .. 03580. Dave Hayes. 14 Goodw1n Rd .. Shefield 8. New Haven. CT 06511. Yorkshire. England. British Society for Social Responsibility 1n FLORIDA NEW YORK Science. 9 Poland St.. London. W1V3DG. Gainesville Research Collective. 630 NW New York City Chapter: Box 762, Fordham England. 01-437-2728 34th Place. Gamesville, FL 32601. Univ., P 0. Station 37, Bronx, NY 10458. (212) 989-7518. Tallahassee Chapter: c/o Progressive Technology, P.O. Box 20049. Tallahassee. Stony Brook Chapter: c 1 o Ted Goldfarb. IRELAND FL 32304 Chemistr:,t Dept .. SUNY. Stony Brook. NY H.N. Dobbs. 8 Ailesbury Grove. Dubl1n 4. 11790. (516) 246-5053. E1re. Marv1n Resnikoff. 174 West Ave .. Buffalo. GEORGIA NY 14201. (716) 856-6587. INDIA Matthew C. Larsen. P.O. Box 13687. Ken Solomon, 58 Picturesque Parkway. D.L. Surendra. 38. Thandava Raya St .. Skidaway lnst. of Oceanography, Schenectady. NY 12303. San Thome. Madras-4. I nd1a Savannah. GA 31406.

OHIO WEST INDIES ILLINOIS Jenny Th1e. 2147 Fulton Ave .. Cincinatti. C. Raymond Mahadeo. Caron1 Research Urbana-Champaign Chapter Tina and OH 45206. (513) 281-6149. Station. Carapicha1ma. Tnn1dad. West Bob Hall. 106 N. Gregory No. 10. Urbana. Indies. IL 61801. OREGON Cra1~ Newby. 920 SE 31st Ave .. Portland. A chapter cons1sts of three or more people OR 97214. 1503) 235-1277 meeting regularly. If you want to help start INDIANA a chapter or be a contact person for your Stephen Friend. T163 G.RC .. Indiana Uni­ WASHINGTON area. please contact Sc1ence for the versity, Bloomington. IN 46240. (812) 337- David Westman. 919 2nd Ave. W. Seattle. People. 897 Ma1n St.. Cambndge. MA 6862. WA 98119. (206) 282-9971. 02139. Tel (617) 547-0370. 2 Science for the People Science for the People inside 897 Main Street Cambridge, Mass. 02139 JULY-AUGUST 1977 VOL. 9 NO.4

MAGAZINE COMMITTEES 2 Chapters and Contacts Production Carol Axelrod 4 About This Issue Susan Barker 5 Letters Elizabeth Bouche Pat Bourdon 7 News Notes Bill Dickens Ross Feldberg 9 Exporting Infant Malnutrition Ruth Fried by Leah Margu"lies Fred Gordon Kathy Greeley 13 Repression of Scientists in Argentina Alice Ingerson Judy Livingston 18 A Review of Eat Your Heart Out Ed Loechler by Cary Fowler Marc Miller Bob Park 20 Fighting Nukes at Seabrook Bent Schmidt-Nielsen I. Lessons from Seabrook Rachel Skvirsky Ray Valdes by Betsy Walker anq TeddJudd Laurie Wallace II. Whither Clam? by Frank Bove Peter Ward Ruth Weinstein Photographs by Ellen Shub Editorial 27 Are Sex Roles Biologically Steve Aldrich Walter Hill Determined? by Freda Salzman Alice Ingerson Dick Leigh 33 Voluntown, 1977-The SftP Conference Marc Miller 38 Inequality and Schools by Boston SftP Steve Nadel Scott Schneider by Boston SftP Science Teaching Group Tallahassee Chapter 42 Chapter Reports Mary Terrall Jim Tobias Ray Valdes Distribution Ruth Fried Science for the People magazine is published bimonthly by the national organization Bob Park Science for the People (see facing page for chapters and contacts). Our address is 897 Peter Ward Main Street, Cambridge, MA 02139. Tel: (617) 547-0370. We welcome contributions of all Glenn Wargo kinds: articles, book reviews, artwork, cartoons, etc. Please see our editorial guidelines on the inside back cover. SftP is intended for all people interested in a progressive and Office Coordinator radical view of science and technology. Our subscription rates are $6 per year (regular Kathy Greeley subscribers) and $15 a year or whatever you can afford (member subscribers). Member subscribers receive the magazine plus our internal newsletter and other internal Magazine Coordinator communication. For legal purposes, Science for the People is incorporated. SftP is Eric Entemann available in microfilm from Xerox University Microfilms, 300 North Zeeb Rd., Ann Arbor, M148106. Unless otherwise stated, all material in this magazine is copyright<> 1977 by Science for the People.

July-Aug. 1977 3 The article also points out that, while Argentina is part of the Third World, it is similar in several ways to the developed capitalist countries of Europe and North America. If the U.S. turns to fascism, it may happen in a about this manner similar to that described in the article: beginning • with legal measures against workers' and leftist activity, combined with unofficial but state-supported right-wing ISSUe terrorist actions, followed by the merging of legal and "illegal" repression, all of this assisted by sophisticated technology.

Several articles have appeared in recent issues of Science for the People focussing on the dangers of nuclear power and why it is being pushed as a solution to an "energy crisis." The November- December "Current Opinion" supported the aims and approach of the Clamshell Alliance. This past May, Clamshell organized a massive occupation of the site of a proposed The stability of capitalism in the US depends a lot nuclear reactor in Seabrook, New Hampshire. The on the fact that many of our society's most serious strength and depth of people's opposition has been evi­ problems are exported abroad. Labor unrest can be denced by the willingness of over I ,400 non-violent minimized by setting up unskilled labor industries in demonstrators to be arrested and spend two weeks in countries where wages are cheap and laws repressive. Meldrim Thomson's armories. Pollution problems are postponed by building Among those arrested were several members of supersized oil refineries in places like Puerto Rico rather Science for the People. We asked them to write accounts than on the mainland. The costs of energy and raw of their experiences and feelings about events at materials to industry here are lowered by propping up Seabrook. These and other reports from New those Third World governments most willing to let their Hampshire suggest that the methods used by Clamshell country's natural wealth flow freely into the hands of to stop the nukes are a model, not only for protests by North American multinational corporations. The middle-class college students, but for efforts by all oppressive relationships created by neo-colonialism and people interested in gaining and exercising control over imperialism have many aspects, some of which are de­ our own lives. As was the case with the Vietnam War, tailed in two articles in this issue. the proliferation of nuclear power threatens, and can Leah Margulies, in "Exporting Infant Malnutri­ therefore unite, all Americans. tion," describes the marketing practices used by infant formula manufacturers looking for profits abroad, now that markets in "developed" countries are saturated. The unethical means used to push sales are especially ERRORS damaging in countries of the Third World, where the product is not only unnecessary but critically endangers We would like to apologize to Pat Brennan and the health of the population. to our readers for an error in production of the last The article on political repression in Argentina des­ issue. The second and third paragraphs of her cribes the extent to which a country's leadership will go article were inadvertently reversed, obscuring the to achieve total control over its people. This control is meaning of the piece. necessary in order to institute economic and social pol­ We would also like to thank Ellen Shub for her icies that are against the interests of most of the popula­ fine photographs appearing in this and the last tion and that favor a select grouping of the ruling and issue, and apologize for misspelling her name in the foreign multinationals. Whereas Western press makes last issue. much of the plight of dissident scientists in Soviet-bloc countries, little mention is made of repression of scientists and technical workers in client states of the US.

4 Science flir 1he Peo pie SEXISM AND RACISM IN Interestingly enough, this kind of and their role as primary emotional SOCIOBIOLOGY thinking is not new. More than one nurturers of men and children in this hundred years ago in the days of the society. For me, such a change Dear SftP, Abolitionist struggles, it was not at would not only be profound, it When I first read Gar Allen's let­ all unusual for staunch male abo­ would be revolutionary! ter in the November issue of Science litionists to be unable to recognize I believe that the time has come for the People magazine, I literally the importance of the women's suf­ for the male Left to spend some time shook with anger. Reading it sud­ frage movement and to even be examining ideas about changing denly brought forth submerged feel­ down right against "their women" their personal lives and the kind of ings of rage. How could a member participating in this struggle. The family and interpersonal relation­ of Science for the People make such history (not herstory) of these move­ ships that will not be automatically statements in 1976? How could ments relates that some of the "most discarded with a redistribution of someone at the height of the wom­ liberal of men found it impossible to wealth and power. en's movement so blatantly pit sex­ understand what liberty meant for women" and that some who "elo­ Sincerely, ism against racism with statements Pat Brennan like: quently advocated equality for the southern plantation could not toler­ Dorchester, MA ate it at their own fireside."* Have Racism bears within it an things really changed? "ultimate political potential" for the ruling class which sex­ In today's political left, it again Dear SftP, ism has never displayed. Be­ seems difficult for the male leader­ I have been reading with interest cause even the ruling class is ship to recognize the importance, the series of letters beginning with composed of both sexes in ap­ seriousness, and the political poten­ Gar Allen's criticism of SftP's proximately equal numbers, tial of the women's movement. Sociobiology Study Group, and I'd sexism has never been used, Somehow despite the fact that like to throw my two cents into the and probably never will be women's unpaid labor in the home debate. used to the same extent as rac­ and low payment on the job pro­ To summarize: Gar Allen criti­ ism as a divisive tool. The pro­ vides a primary buttress (maybe a cized the Sociobiology Group for found divisions which racism foundation) for supporting capital­ not paying enough attention to how is capable of creating seem al­ ism, the struggle to change it is con­ biological determinism (that is, that ways to have been greater than tinually seen as subordinate to the genes determine social behavior) those which sexism can create. primary struggles of class and race. helps justify racism as well as sex­ Is this so because the left is domi­ ism. He makes the assertion that nated by privileged white male per­ Such statements are not only com­ "racism bears within it an ultimate sons who personally benefit from political potential for the ruling petitive but do a grave injustice to the status quo? the understanding of both isms and class which sexism has never dis­ Whatever t,he case may be, it played. . . sexism has never been their interaction. Indeed, suggesting angers me to see that Allen seems that one has within it the "ultimate used, and probably never will be not to recognize either the "pro­ used, to the same extent as racism as political potential" while the other found divisions" that already exist may not, serves to perpetuate fur­ a divisive tool." Rita Arditti and between women and men or to even Ruth Hubbard replied to this by up­ ther the divisions that do exist be­ conceive of the even more profound tween women and men, black and holding the importance of fighting divisions that would arise if women against sexism. They point out that white. To me, these statements, des­ were to abandon their unpaid labor pite incantations to the contrary, women's oppression predated capit­ suggest that Allen feels that racism *Gornick, V., & Moran, Barbara, "Women's alism and that male supremacy is inherently more important to con­ Liberation and Black Civil Rights" Women doesn't automatically end with the front than sexism. in Sexist Society, p. 625. establishment of a socialist state.

July-Aug. 1977 5 Continued from previous page numbers of women into wage labor competitive, rigorously unemot­ in order to sell the mass-produced ional, self-centered; personal and goods previously produced by wom­ political aspects of work are seen as Lorraine Roth, in agreement with en working at home. separate unrelated entities; male Gar Allen, then replied saying that What this system means,· gener­ chauvenism and anti-gay attitudes class struggle is the overriding issue ally, is the super-exploitation of still go unchallenged. of our time, that racism is central to women as cheap labor and the ad­ If the left does not support the capitalism, but that sexism is "one ditional continued enslavement of struggle against women's oppres­ of many worsening social problems women to the material and emotion­ sion as a crucial part of a working of a capitalist society in profound al needs of the family (which in­ class movement, and if sexist prac­ economic crisis." She argues against cludes men, of course). Women have tices in the political work and per­ what she calls the "women's separ­ been and still are denied such basic sonal lives of the mostly white male ate struggle" and fears that the democratic rights as equality under left continue, then feminists will feminism of Rita Arditti and Ruth the law and the right to control their have little choice but to pursue a Hubbard is divisive. She calls for an own bodies. Sex and sexual relations separate women's struggle. This is integrated approach to all problems, have been commercialized to the ex­ not their shortcoming as Lorraine including racism and sexism. Fol­ tent that women's bodies are mere Roth suggests, but that of the rest of lowing this, Ronnie Rom takes issue sexual objects- this is the total de­ the left. with Lorraine Roth's insinuation humanization of women. What all By saying these things I don't that feminism is inhibiting to the this amounts to is denying women mean to imply any smugness on my development of a socialist revolu­ their sense of self and their ability to part. Whatever I understand about tion and argues that integration can determine their own history. sexism I learned from women strug­ only come through a healthy inner If this brief description of wom­ gling with me. struggle against sexism. en's oppression is accurate, it means One final point. I think racism Whew! Well, I think that Gar that sexism is not merely a set of at­ must be analyzed in a similar fash­ Allen and Lorraine Roth take too titudes nor simply economic dis­ ion and the fact that this letter says narrow a view of sexism and the im­ crimination, but a deeply rooted nothing about the oppression of portance of struggling against it. part of the imperialist system. Sex­ Third World people does not mean This is based on their seeing sexism ism is not just something that a rul­ it is less important. (and racism for that matter) as ing class can institute at will, but is a merely tools of the ruling class for fundamental contradiction even AI Weinrub dividing the working class, as Gar within the ranks of the working class San Jose, California Allen suggests. I think it's more as a whole. It is not, as Gar Allen P.S. Many of my friends here have helpful to look at sexism as the suggests, simply a tool used to di­ really appreciated the articles re­ systematic oppression of women. vide a class or a struggle that would cently on forced sterilization, the or could otherwise be unified. It is This leads to different conclusions, history of birth control, and the more in line with Rita Arditti, Ruth an inherent part of the system, as birth control clinic worker strike in Hubbard, and Ronnie Rom. much so as is class oppression. Boston. Historically, due to the particular If we have this understanding of division of labor that was part of the women's oppression, we can see that particular development of society at neither it nor class oppression can NUKES FOR THE PEOPLE particular times in various parts of end without a common struggle the world, women have been forced against imperialism. For years the Science for the People: into inferior positions with respect left has refused to take up the strug­ A short time ago I subscribed to to men. The particulars that we have gle against women's oppression, the magazine anticipating semi-tech­ to deal with here in the U.S. are the relegating it, as does Lorraine Roth, nical articles with a viewpoint cor­ particulars of U.S. imperialism. to a position of secondary import­ responding to the title. I was sur­ This is a system based on class ex­ ance. The result has been that work­ prised, therefore, to find two pages ploitation and wage labor in which ing class struggle has been tremen­ devoted to the anti-nuclear tirades women's work has traditionally dously weakened. of the Clamshell Alliance. Here in been to reproduce the labor force For example, within the left, in California, I and millions of others and to provide for its emotional and spite of the many lessons of the fem­ heard and read Clamshell-type as­ physical well being. Given the neces­ inist movement, sexist practices are sertions for months and then voted sity of the system to expand to en­ common: women are not taken seri­ compass more labor and larger mar­ ously by men; male forms of behav­ kets, it has forced ever larger ior abound - being domineering, LETTERS, continued on p. 40

6 Science for the People STERILIZING OF news notes NATIVE AMERICAN WOMEN More than one-fourth of all LEAD AND COSMETICS FOR Native American women may have DISCRIMINATION CANCER been sterilized by doctors from the On March 15, the Occupational The cosmetics industry fears that U.S. Indian Health Service who Health and Safety Administration a finding reported at the March have pressured them into the opera­ opened hearings on setting a stan­ meetings of the American Chemical tions, the National Catholic dard for an acceptable level of air­ Society in New Orleans may have Reporter says. Dr. Connie Uri of borne lead in workplaces. Until this "thalidomide scare-type potential." Los Angeles, a Choctaw-Cherokee time, the lead industry has chosen to NDELA (N-nitrosodiethanola­ Indian, told the newspaper in ignore the health hazards of air­ mine), a common emulsifier in Kansas City that is her estimate borne lead to male workers and shampoos, lotions and makeup, has after interviews with American children born to them. The industry been shown to be a liver carcinogen Indian women and that there are has, however, used the danger as an in rats. It is countered that the only 100,000 Native women of child­ excuse to exclude all women "with studies are not valid because bearing age who have not been ster­ child-bearing potential." A woman NDELA was given by ingestion, not ilized. who needs her job is virtually forced absorption through the skin, as in -Boston Globe 5-22-77 into sterilization. cosmetics. However there is some Continued exposure to high levels uneasiness among cosmetics makers VANDERBILT BUYS of airborne lead damages the central since NDELA is used industrially as OSHA nervous system, kidneys and the a treatment for wood to increase The Vanderbilt Company, one of ability to manufacture blood. It has penetration of organic liquids, and. the nation's top producers of talc also been linked with high rates of hence is rather likely to be absorbed products, mines its industrial grade miscarriage, stillbirth, birth defects across the skin. talc in upstate New York. Unfortu­ and mental retardation. These in­ Some leading products containing nately, this talc was found to contain creased rates were found among NDELA are Clairol's Herbal up to 70 percent termolite, one of unexposed wives of lead workers as Essence shampoo and Johnson's the six minerals defined by a 1972 well as among mothers who had Baby Lotion. These two products OSHA standard as asbestos, and been exposed themselves. Changes have NDELA concentrations of 260 consequently subject to government in sperm and decreases in the num­ and I 00 parts per billion (ppb ). The regulation. Dr. Irving Selikoff of ber and motility of sperm have been far-away winner, however, is Max Mt. Sinai School of Medicine pre­ found in men who work with lead. Factor's Ultralucent Whipped dicts that 40 percent of those who Mutagenic effects have appeared in Cream make-up with 48,000 ppb. work regularly with asbestos will die exposed insects and male mice. Meanwhile, the industry is fighting of cancer in the next 50 years, and As long as the industry can use labeling requirements and pre­ indeed a survey of up-state New discriminatory practices to avoid the market testing of products. York talc workers (largely Vander­ real problem, the health of lead -F-D-C Reports, April 1977 bilt employees) shows lung cancer workers and their families will be in rates four times the national aver­ jeopardy. THE LOW PRICE OF age. However, Vanderbilt feared the A standard which will protect MURDER label "asbestos" on its talc would workers and remove the basis of cause industrial customers to go discrimination is a blood level of 30 More than five months after an looking for a safer talc, and so began micrograms of lead per 100 grams of explosion at the Phillips Petroleum to pressure OSHA to redefine asbes­ blood. Write to the Secretary of plant in Kansas City killed two pipe­ tos, omitting tremolite from the Labor Ray Marshall , c/o Docket fitters, the Occupational Safety and definition. In 1973 OSHA rejected Officer, Docket #H-004, Room Health Administration (OSHA) has Vanderbilt's petition to change the 3620, Department of Labor, Third concluded that the company was asbestos standard, but shortly there­ & Constitution Avenues, N.W., negligent, and has fined them the after gave the company permission Washington D.C. 20210. grand total of $490. to certify to its customers that its -Off Our Backs Aprill977 -In These Times May 3-9, '77 talc contained no asbestos.

July-Aug. 1977 7 Vanderbilt, still fearful of finan­ PHILIPPINES: project is an attack on Third World cial ruin, enlisted the services of CHEAP LABOR, peoples and resources. At a Tokyo three senators and two congressmen EASY ENVIRONMENT rally, 46 anti-pollution organiza­ tions declared: "We refuse to from districts where the company The world's third largest iron sin­ accomodate ourselves to the way of does business and continued to tering plant (for processing iron ore) life built on the sacrifice of Third apply pressure. In 1974, without the is being constructed in Mindanao, World people. We know this path is public comments, public hearings, Philippines, by Japan's Kawasaki. thorny but we are determined to and scientific justification required At a well-attended university forum fundamentally change this evil by law, OSHA illegally redefined in Manila, the facts on this highly economic system that forces us to be asbestos to exclude tremolite. Two polluting project came out. Forced exploiters of Third World nations." other government agencies, the to close such a plant in Japan due to -Philippines Liberation Courier National Institute for Occupational popular outrage against its poisons April 30, 1977 Safety and Health and the National (25 people killed; another 500 af­ Bureau of Standards, cooperated in fected) Kawasaki has turned to the prolonging Vanderbilt's temporary Philippines, whose Marcos regime is TESTING FUNGICIDE exemption from the law. A copy of a eager to please any foreign capitalist ON HUMANS report entitled: OSHA Serves a looking to invest, and where labor is Corporate Client: Ignoring Asbestos cheap and strikes non-existent, The fungicide EBDC causes in Vanderbilt Industrial Talc, which according to a Kawasaki official. cancer of the thyroid in animals, but documents the above story, can be The plant has already occupied over does that mean for certain that it obtained by sending $2 to Health half a square mile of coastal land causes cancer in humans and there­ Research Group, 2000 P Street, and displaced 100 families. fore shouldn't be used? The U.S. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036. Meanwhile, environmental Environmental Protection Agency -Public Citizen, issue four, 1977 groups in Japan have charged the wanted to test the effects of the fungicide on the human thyroid. To avoid the restrictions banning re­ search on humans in the U.S., the EPA decided to test the chemical on patients at a hospital in Mexico City which (according to Newsday, which first reported the story) has a history of cooperating with large U.S. drug companies needing human guinea pigs. The EPA ap­ proved $100,000 for the project. A last-minute administrative holdup, however, brought the experiment to the attention of an EPA attorney who blocked it. He described the proposal as "inhuman, completely scandalous." The EPA has now been asked to investigate the project by Senators Magnuson and Stevenson, who say that even a consideration of the plan was "cause for worry." -International Bulletin May 23, 1977

SCiencej(Jr the People Exporting Infant Malnutrition

Leah Margulies

An economy based on consumption needs consumers. When the market is saturated at home, the solution - look abroad for new and untapped markets. This is exactly what has happened in the infant formula industry. With too few mouths to feed at home, the major manufacturers of baby foods have stepped up their promotion tactics over the last few years in Third World countries where population rates are still rapidly increasing. Massive sales campaigns presently en­ courage poor women around the world to abandon breast feeding for bottle feeding - a more expensive, complex, and less healthful method. The result: increas­ ing infant malnutrition and mortality. There could be no more dramatic illustration of corporations, hungry for profit, manufacturing a need that wasn't there.

Infant Formula-A Poor Substitute First of all, what kind of product is infant formula? It is a highly processed food which, in the fi~er products, is patterned after breast milk in fat content, protein and sugar source, although it does not have either the anti­ bodies or the digestibility of the real thing. Sometimes the product is sold premixed but more often, especially in poor countries, it is sold as a powder that requires Other mothers have been known to fill bottles with mix­ measured amounts of pure water for proper reconstitu­ tures of water and cornstarch in an attempt to imitate tion. Clean bottles and nipples are also necessary. the appearance of the product. Breast milk, on the other hand, has been described This says nothing of the expense of infant formula as the "original convenience food" in a pamphlet pro­ to poor families. For many, the cost of feeding one child duced by the War on Want, a British advocacy group. exclusively on formula can cost thirty percent or more of Besides supplying the proper quantities of protein, fat, a family's income. Many mothers, then, dilute the pow­ etc., it protects the infant from disease by providing der to make it last longer. Several studies in the antibodies important to the development of the Caribbean, for example, showed that many women were immunization system. stretching a four days' supply to last three weeks. For poor women in underdeveloped countries, who Another study in Barbados also found that eighty-two don't have refrigeration, access to pure water, easy percent of mothers surveyed were diluting the powder. measuring arrangements and the ability to read the What results is increased infant malnutrition and instructions, infant formula is a dangerous convenience. mortality at earlier and earlier ages among Third World They cannot use it properly. An investigation by the children. War on Want discovered a Nigerian mother who fed her baby mostly water - but with a bottle and nipple she Earlier and More Severe Damage had seen advertised on a billboard in town. It was not made clear to her that it's what's inside that counts. There is plenty of evidence linking formula feeding with increased rates of infant mortality and malnutri­ tion among children of poor countries. In a hospital This article is reprinted from HealthRight, a quarterly publication of the Women's Health Forum in New York. survey in Sierra Leone, 713 of 717 children admitted for Subscriptions are $5 a year, and their address is 175 Fifth malnutrition had been bottle fed. In Chile in 1973, three Avenue, New York, NY 10010. times as many deaths occurred among infants who were

July-Aug. 1977 9 bottle fed before three months old thari among wholly Some companies give hospitals prescription blanks, breast-fed infants. A research team inspecting feeding printed up to look like hospital stationery with a list of bottles there discovered a bacterial-contamination rate the company's products underneath for the doctor to of eighty percent. In some African hospitals, babies use when recommending one of these products. Some suffering from malnutrition are in beds marked companies sponsor crawling contests and hire clowns "Lactogen Syndrome" after Lactogen, a baby formula and magicians to entertain parents and then advise them made by Nestle. of the advantages of bottle feeding. Furthermore, physicians and nutritionists working Most formula manufacturers hire nurses to in Third World countries report that babies are suffering promote their products through hospitals, doctors and from chronic diarrhea and other symptoms of extreme maternity and postnatal clinics where they distribute malnutrition much earlier than in the past. When breast free samples and speak to women individually. These feeding was widespread, malnutrition did not become milk nurses constitute what American companies call severe until after weaning, usually in the second year of the "mothercraft personnel." These women may not life. Now the average age of children suffering from actually be trained nurses. Or, they may be trained malnutrition in some parts of the world is eight months. nurses lured by the higher salaries and fringe benefits, One dangerous result of this earlier malnutri­ among them the use of a car, which American tion is often damage to the child's mental development. companies offer. These nurses often visit women in their The earlier the malnutrition occurs and the longer it homes and even make home deliveries of formula. They lasts, the greater the chances that the child's brain will rarely tell mothers of the costs of bottle feeding. be impaired.

Insidious Marketing by Multinationals The corporations that sell infant formula abroad in the Third World run the gamut from prestigious American, Swiss, British and Japanese multinational corporations like Abbott, American Home Products / ' Bristol-Meyers, Nestle and Cow and Gate - to local fly-by-night manufacturers trying to cash in. Sophis­ ticated companies with resources and capital at their disposal are promoting their products to unsophis­ ticated consumers who take what they see quite literally. When a Third World woman sees a fat, healthy baby nursing from a bottle on the wall of her health clinic, she believes it to be an endorsement. Other influences are at work. She may have recently entered her country's burgeoning workforce and moved to a city where she is exposed to the synthetic images of glamor that characterize women in Western-style ads. She may be learning to be self-conscious about her body and breast feeding is not part of that self-image to which she is aspiring. Bottle feeding is in vogue. A consumer is born. In the past few years there has been documentation of insidious marketing and promotional techniques employed by companies aggressively competing to expand their share in a fast-growing and, thus far, un­ saturated market. Companies advertise on billboards, on radio, and even on TV. Because of the lack of strict controls on advertising in many Third World countries, Milk nurses are apparently influential in per­ claims are made about the advantages of bottle feeding suading women to bottle feed their infants: "Ninety-five which would not be allowed in Western countries. In percent of the [Nigerian] mothers who combined breast hospitals throughout the Third World posters advertis­ and bottle feeding said they had been advised to do so ing a particular product are common. Some companies, by medical personnel, mainly midwives and nurses. primarily Nestle, have milk banks in hospitals where Milk company representatives who give talks on feeding they sell formula to mothers at discount prices. appear to be identified as hospital and clinic staff."

Ill , A LIST OF RESOURCES

The Baby Killer, by Mike Muller, War on Want, London, 1974. "Formula for Malnutrition," by Consumers Union, CJC Brief, Corporate Information Center, Room 566, 475 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10027. Baby Formula Abuse Action Group of Philadel­ phia, PO Box 12913, Commerce Station, Philadelphia, PA 19108. Earthwork, 1499 Potrero Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94110, (415) 648-2094. Food Action Center, 1028 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036, (202) 466-3726. Food Day, 1757 S. Street. NW, Washington, DC, 20009, (202) 332-4250. Growing Public Concern ... Infant Nutrition Group, 8th Day Center for Peace Despite the fact that a handful of pediatricians have & Justice, 22 East Van Buren Street, Chicago, IL 60605. been voicing their concern for "bottle illness" for the Interfaith Center for Corporate Responsibility, 475 past fifteen years, little was publicized until the Protein Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10027. Advisory Group of the UN system issued two declara­ Northern California Interfaith Committee on tions concerning the issue. By 1974, the World Health Corporate Responsibility, 870 Market Street, San Fran­ Assembly (the governing body of the World Health cisco, CA 94102, (415) 397-0484. Organization, WHO) unanimously adopted a resolution Southern California Interfaith Hunger Coalition, which identified misleading sales practices as a cause of 1716 N. Wilton Place, Los Angeles, CA 90028, (213) declining breast feeding and urged nations to review and 466-6504. regulate the marketing of infant formula. To get the film, Bottle Babies, contact: American However, the problem only gained widespread Baptist Films, Valley Forge, PA 19481, (215) 768-2307. interest when War on Want, a British charity organiza­ $20. Order several months in advance. tion, published the first major expose of the issue entit­ Tricontinental Films, 333 Sixth Avenue, New led "The Baby Killer" by the English journalist, Mike York, NY 10014, (212) 989-3330. $30 plus $5 shipping; Muller. In April 1974, a Swiss group, the $300 to buy. Order a month in advance. Arbeitsgrouppee Dritte Welt, translated the booklet National Council of Churches, Audio Visuals, 476 into German and retitled it "Nestle Kills Babies." Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10027. $95 to buy. Nestle is the second largest food company in the world, \..Church affiliation needed. .J with subsidiaries in twenty-eight countries, and is the largest seller of baby foods in the Third World. Nestle ... And Token Response brought a libel suit against the group and last spring a judge ruled in favor of Nestle on a technicality. It could In response to criticism, the major manufacturers not be proved, he said, that Nestle deliberately set out to of infant formula have banded together in an attempt to kill babies - as the pamphlet's title indicated. But, the regulate themselves. Last year, Abbott Laboratories, judge declared while announcing his decision, "This is makers of Similac, joined with American Home no acquittal." Products, Nestle and eight other companies in the Inter­ In the United States, the Interfaith Center on national Council of Infant Food Industries in order to Corporate Responsibility (ICCR), an ecumenical create an industry-wide Code of Marketing Ethics. agency which plans the corporate-responsibility actions Bristol-Meyers had refused to join, claiming the code for approximately fifteen Protestant denominations and might violate anti-monopoly laws. However, after over 135 Roman Catholic orders, has put pressures on months of negotiations, the remaining companies were American baby formula companies who, along with not able to decide which "ethics" they will adhere to. Nestle, dominate the market. For two years, sharehold­ There are now three separate codes, each with slightly er resolutions have been filed which have asked manage­ different guidelines. ment to disclose sales and marketing practices. One The codes are essentially more similar than differ­ company, Bristol-Meyers, the makers ofEnfamil, is now ent - especially in their shortcomings. All three codes being sued by an ICCR member, the Sisters of the Pre­ fail to include any means of enforcement other than by cious Blood, for allegedly misleading shareholders m the companies' own management. Equally important is the company's 1976 proxy statement on the issue. that the codes, while appearing to keep the industry ethi-

July-Aug. 1977 II cal, actually legitimize current unethical practices. For Despite the obvious weaknesses of these codes, example, the codes continue to allow mothercraft per­ companies use them to divert criticism. Having a code sonnel to distribute free samples and to wear nurses' appears responsible and humane. In fact, it only lets the uniforms, albeit with the company's insignia. Critics companies off the hook. Infant formulas can be sold believe, however, that any commercial personnel who under carefully controlled and supervised conditions have a role in educating mothers need to be organized and still be misused because existing social and and trained by recognized local institutions and health economic conditions make proper usage virtually authorities and must function to satisfy local needs. impossible. Trained nurses can perform their health care function only if the element of sales promotion is removed from their job description. Third World Self-Determination Some Third World governments are taking actions to protect their people. In Jamaica, the government has placed limitations on the import of baby milk products. The Malaysian authorities have initiated a nationwide breast feeding campaign. There are stricter controls on radio advertising in many countries and many hospitals are refusing to allow formula manufacturers to display posters. On the grassroots level there appears to be a determination among health workers to protect children from the dangers of bottle feeding. But, these are small gains seen against the backdrop of the power of the gi­ ant corporations' abilities to promote their products, even indirectly. There is, moreover, a recognition on the part of Third World nutritionists of the need for a substitute for breast milk - for the less than five percent of women who cannot breast feed for physiological reasons and for the small but growing numbers who must work away from home. But, such substitutes must be designed to suit conditions in Third World countries - the less refrigeration and cooking needed, the better. Zambian nutritionists have developed an infant-weaning food made from local foodstuff. it is sold with strong warn­ ings against its use by anyone who does not have the necessary clean water. Each can also strongly recom­ mends breast feeding. Because it is locally made, this substitute is much cheaper than imported formulas. Beyond the human tragedy involved, the sale of infant formula in the Third World is a perfect example of how the multinational corporations export in­ appropriate lifestyles and products to countries ill prepared to resist the penetration. They don't help countries decide their real priorities. They are all too ready to define what other countries need based on Western values, especially if it's good for profits. Third World countries are beginning to act. In Western Europe the marketing of infant formula in the Third World has become a major humanitarian issue. In this country, various groups are beginning to act around this issue. (See box.) It will clearly take the coordinated efforts of individual governments, health care personnel and concerned groups to reverse the destructive market­ ing techniques that have wreaked such devastation on the infants of the Third World.O

12 Science for the People Repression of Scientists • tn Argentina

Argentina today continues under the rule of a right-wing military junta that took power last March 24, 1976, and which is continuing its policy of repression against large segments of the working class and against many scientists and technical workers.

Last year's coup was just the continuation of a As a result, Argentina's workers have had their real process started during the 1974-76 government of Isabel wages reduced by 60 percent in one year, to the lowest Peron, widow of Juan Per6n. Under Isabel Per6n the level in decades. The hours of daily labor required to military did not operate in the open, but after the coup meet the basic needs of a family have risen from six to they took full control of the State apparatus and in­ eighteen. Unemployment is at a record high. The junta's creased the level of repression to outright fascism. By policies benefit only the big foreign and domestic destroying all possibility of dissent, the junta hopes to monopolies, many of the smaller and medium-sized maintain indefinitely an untenable economic situation. firms owned by the middle class having been forced into It is clear from its economic and foreign policy that the bankruptcy. junta seeks to relocate Argentina firmly within the Implementation of these economic policies has sphere of US imperialism. required repression of all sorts: restrictions on workers' The military is waging the war against the people of assemblies and on strikes, reprisals against armed Argentina on two fronts: economic and political. popular resistance by groups on the Left, and the Economically, the agro-export sector is being dismissal, exile, or imprisonment of many union acti­ developed, favoring the landed oligarchy that owns the vists, professionals, scientists and technical workers. farms and ranches on which cattle and grain are pro­ Though the country cannot exist without the duced for export. The country's doors have been opened cooperation - voluntary or coerced - of the majority to the multinationals by denationalization of industries of the working class, the junta seems to think it can get and banks, easing of restrictions and the reconstruction along without a large segment of the class of of a high rate of profit by a freeze on wages and professionals, scientists and educators who have been establishment of free market prices. among those active in criticizing the junta. This is especially important in Argentina, which has (both This article was written by the Editorial Collective from relatively and in absolute numbers) more scientists, materials provided by Argentinian scientists. Sources university professors, technical, educational and include materials from the Argentine Solidarity cultural workers than most other Latin American Committee (CAS), Ap. 19-052, Mexico 19, DF, Mexico, nations. The military hopes to achieve political stability from AISC, PO Box 4388, Berkeley, CA 94704, and by totally eradicating subversive ideology. This means N A CLA publications on Argentina, especially the Jan. striking out at the source of that ideology, Argentina's 1977 issue. educators, scientists and professionals.

July-Aug. 1977 13 community is being carried out, with everyone required to answer in writing detailed questions about their back­ ground, past addresses and reasons for moving. This data, presumably, will be added to the ultra-modern computer-based crime information system possessed by the repressive state apparatus. The Minister of Educa­ tion stated in April 1976: "The National authorities are bent upon an exhaustive cleaning up of all the people who may produce ideological deformities. This is the reason why the teaching staff of the University is under close scrutiny: to detect and eradicate all forms of sub­ version that might still exist in the University." Great numbers of teaching personnel have lost their jobs and many of the available upper-level teaching positions have been filled by military officers. Other positions are filled by personnel nominated by military auditors. As a consequence of the "prescindibilidad" (dispensability) and security laws issued by the junta, more than 200 university employees and over 700 scien­ tists in research institutions have been dismissed. Those dismissed under these laws find it impossible to find work in any government or private institution. Many students have also been expelled.

Physicists Decimated Argentine physicists have been among the hardest "Purifying" the Universities hit segments of the professionals. At the National Institute for Physics and Technology at San Miguel, one In choosing the path of dependence to U.S. imperialism, the junta has called for an emphasis on WOMEN POLITICAL PRISONERS' ACCOUNT OF "'"" "Christian and Western values" and has rejected the PRISON CONDITIONS "Third Worldism" tendency of Juan Peron. The attitude that "anyone who is not Christian and occidental is "The majority of the women are held at the disposi­ tion of the P.E.N. (executive power) and the rest are subversive" has led the junta to try to establish awaiting justice before course military or police a scientific and academic ''discipline" in universities and processes. We arrive at the prison after the required laboratories that recalls elements of medieval times as stage of the torture chamber at the Federal Coordina­ well as of Nazi Germany. Searches, seizure and burnings tion Center, Police stations, military barracks, etc., of books and publications considered subversive to the located throughout the country: days or months sub­ "traditional spiritual and cultural values synthesized in mitted to tortures with the electric picana (prod), God, country and home" have been conducted. In May suffocation by immersion, raped by the torturers or by 1976, the "depuration" of the University libraries of the mechanical means, the introduction of rats and spiders National University of Cordoba was carried out by the into our vaginas, bitten by dogs, watching our relatives Air Force, in which books by the ''ideological or our companions die by torture, losing the children in criminals" Marx and Freud were seized. our wombs. Handcuffed, blindfolded, humiliated, we At the Universidad Nacional de Cuvo, about ten arrive at the Unit 2 to begin another stage of suffering. While under the Regime of Decree 2023/74, the illegal­ thousand books were siezed from the homes of pro­ ity of our situation comes to such a point that we are not fessors and students of the University. Not only is the even allowed to read it, an aberration of justice. Thus reading of Marx's works a crime under the statutes of our lives are ruled by a law which we are not allowed to the Law of Repression ~nd Terrorism, university policy read. now decrees that ''the works of Freud, Piaget and others "This penitentiary is located in the heart of Buenos are prohibited from being used as assigned material or Aires, is the prison chosen to show the international being included as bibliographical references." In addi­ commissions that fight for the respect of human rights. tion, the teaching of courses on psychiatry, psychology Nevertheless, this doesn't prevent them from annihila­ and psychoanalysis was prohibited. ting us who are found in it." A census of all the members of the University

14 Science for the People of the most important centers in Latin America for applied physics, 70 researchers and technicians out of a total of 110 were dismissed on April 30, 1976. A military official assumed directorship of the institute. By October of that year, only 10 researchers remained at the Institute. For many, losing their job is the least of their worries. Forced exile, arrest, imprisonment, torture and assassination at the hands of military and police forces and at the hands of paramilitary terrorist gangs have be­ come common. For example, some of the physicists who have been kidnapped or assassinated include: -Graciella Carabelli, a solid-state physicist kidnapped in the city of Cordoba with her three-year-old son shortly after the coup. Her body was later found. -Manuel Tarchinsky, nuclear physicist and professor at the Southern National University, murdered in jail. -Julia Huarque de Rabat, professor of physics at the University of Rosario, murdered. -Antonio Misetich, of the Argentine Atomic Energy Comission and formerly with MIT's National Magnet Laboratory, missing and presumed dead. -Juan Carlos Gallardo, Director of the Institute of Mathematics, Astronomy and Physics of the National University of Cordoba, imprisoned without a charge since April 1976. Other professions affected have been those of psychology, medicine and social work. Hundreds of psychologists, psychoanalysts, physicians and social to step into the foreground with the waning of Isabel workers have been fired from their positions in hospitals Peron, the Army organized its own terrorist squad. and mental health institutions. At the Finochietto With the present junta, however, the distinction Hospital in Avellanda, an industrial suburb of Buenos between "legal" and "dirty" is disappearing. What was Aires, only two members out of sixty professional staff once denied is now official policy. Argentine officials were not fired. Several "day" hospitals were closed now admit the use of torture by police agencies, though down. The Assistance Center for Children with the government is trying at the same time to avoid Learning Problems was closed due to the firing of the falling into the position of an isolated international entire staff, approximately 140 specialists. Other pariah like the Pinochet dictatorship in Chile. scientists and technical workers who have been affected The reasons for terrorism and repression vary for include chemists, agronomists, meteorologists, sociol­ each victim. Some victims are apolitical or respectable ogists, biologists, technicians, architects, engineers and liberals. Those who express mild concern at the Junta's others. activities are usually just fired or sometimes arrested. For example, in an article in La Opinion, Horacio Reasons for Fascist Terror Encabo, vice-director of the Center for Neurological Study expressed worry for the future development of an Under Isabel Peron's regime, repression had two Argentina whose scientific policy was guided by the forms: legal, and "dirty." "Dirty," or unofficial, repres­ criterion: "who is not occidental and Christian is sion was developed when it seemed that official actions subversive." He was dismissed five days later. The illegal by state security forces could not contain political behavior of seventeen professors arrested and thirty struggle and popular resistance. Though officials denied considered fugitives at the National University of the any connection with the terrorist death squads South consisted, according to those who accused them, responsible for the kidnappings and assasinations, it was of: having studied economics at the University of well-known that these squads were organized, armed Buenos Aires, where "they were given the opportunity and staffed by various state personnel. One of the most to study economics from a historical-political infamous, the AAA Gang, was organized by the central perspective"; having studied in foreign academic figure of Isabel Peron's government, her Minister of centers, among which are the National University of Social Welfare Jose Lopez Rega. As the military began Mexico, the University of Colorado in the US, and

July-Aug. 1977 15 , Grenoble University; and "using academic freedom as a KIDNAP VICTIM'S ACCOUNT means of ideological penetration." Many of those imprisoned are used effectively as Carlos Baro, a doctor, was abducted from his home hostages against actions by armed resistance forces of on July 16, 1976, by a group of armed men: the left. That is, after specific guerilla actions a number "We entered a building where I was led up a of prisoners are shot. For example, seventy prisoners staircase to the first floor. I was immediately stripped, were shot to death after the bomb in the federal police beaten, laid on a bed and subjected to torture - the headquarters in July 1976, fifty-five after the bombing picana (electric prod) in particular, for about one and a of the Ministry of Defense, forty after the death of an half hours. During this savage torture, they questioned army security chief. me about the possible whereabouts of arms, printing materials and about people I didn't know. I spent a day An open letter to the junta by the journalist and night without any food or water. On Saturday 17 Rodolfo Walsh, kidnapped days after sending this letter, July about 3:00 pm I was taken back to the torture says: "These victims of reprisal are used as hostages by chamber. For an hour or an hour and a half, the electric the authorities. Many of them are trade unionists, prod was applied to the most sensitive parts of the body: intellectuals, relatives of known guerrillas, unarmed testicles, thorax, mouth, etc.; after this, the savage mer­ political dissidents, or simply suspicious in the eyes of cenaries subjected me to what they called "Asian those who detained them. They are the victims of a doc­ torture," which consisted of pitching me into drums of trine of collective guilt which long ago disappeared from water while hanging by the legs. They did this four or the norms of justice in the civilised community. They are five times until I lost consciousness. When I recovered, I utterly incapable of influencing the political develop­ was again tortured with the electric prod for another ments which give rise to the events for which they are hour (approximately), but this time with three prods at murdered. They are killed to balance the number of the same time. I should also state that they injected me with some substance -possibly toxic or infectious- in dead on either side, in accordance with the body-count the big toe of my rightfoot, in the testicles and right principle first employed by the Nazi Germans ... and arm, as well as pulling out the nails of my big toes and afterwards refined by the North American invaders in slashing a toe, then persistently applying the electric Vietnam." prod to these places." The "statistical bones of this terror," according to Rodolfo Walsh, are "15,000 people missing without a

16 Science for the People trace, 10,000 prisoners, 4,000 dead and tens of thous­ What You Can Do to Help ands of exiles." The ultimate fate of those imprisoned is While it is difficult for North Americans to actively still to be decided. According to the Manchester aid the resistance to the Argentinian junta, it is impor­ Guardian, however, "People who live in the vicinity of tant to try to save the many lives of those still La Perla concentration camp, near Cordoba, complain imprisoned, missing, or in concentration camps. about nasty odors - and soldiers say that crematorium aid in the release of certain prisoners and demonstrate ovens are being installed there." to the government that there is international concern about its actions. The president of Argentina is General The end result may be, in fact, the destruction of Jorge Rafael Videla, Presidente de Ia Republica people and institutions in Argentina formed by decades Argentina, Casa Rosada, Balcarce-50, Buenos Aires, of hard work, of the infrastructure necessary for the Argentina. Letters can also be sent to the UN Secretary future social, cultural, and economic development of the General, UNESCO, President Carter and members of country. A letter of support by Mexican physicists states the US Congress. "We believe that this savage persecution is not just an -The Argentine Solidarity Committee (CAS) publishes attack against Argentine culture but also against a regular bulletin. Send information requests and cultural development everywhere. Therefore, protesting financial support to Comision Argentina de Solidaridad this persecution is, for us, not just a moral question but (CAS), Ap. 19-052, Mexico 19, DF, Mexico. a question of self-defense." -In the U.S., the Argentine Information Service Center The main targets of right-wing terrorism, the armed (AISC) publishes a newsletter called "Outreach". Their units of revolutionary leftist organizations such as the address is AISC, PO Box 4388, Berkeley, CA 94704. Montoneros and the ERP-PRT (People's Revolutionary -Take the initiative, through letter, demonstrations, Army-Revolutionary Workers Party) thought not un­ and petitions to cut off all economic and military assis­ scathed, continue their work on both political and mili­ tance to the Argentine government. This would include tary fronts. In fact, the Montoneros (formerly the direct US aid, and the indirect aid through international Authentic Peronist Movement) have developed from a banks and international organizations. loosely defined radical wing of the Peronist Movement -Expose academics and scientists here in the US who into a political party which is increasing its rank and file work with or cooperate with the CIA and the military in support in the industrial sector and which has inten­ designing the technologies of surveillance and urban sified its attacks on the government. counterinsurgency .D

US ROLE AND THE TECHNOLOGY OF REPRESSION

The economic policies that the junta is trying to Garland, Texas. It is a communications system connec­ defend through repression benefit a select group of ting patrol cars, dispatchers, and security database multinational companies, such as ITT, Exxon and US systems. Video terminals are located in each patrol car, Steel. There are direct and personal links between this which can display information from the dtabase about spectrum of interests and Economy Minister Martinez possible suspects patrol officers may happen to pick up de Hoz and his junior ministers. The details of these on the street. This system is the most advanced of its links were published by a journalist at Prensa Libre, kind in the world. The manufacturer of this system is a Horacio Novillo, later murdered for that action. company with gross revenues of $250 million from mili­ A recent article in Computer Decisions magazine tary and police electronics sales, and its board of details the sale of modern computer systems by IBM directors includes William Rayburn, a former high-level and other North American manufacturers to the CIA officer. security and police agencies of Argentina, Uruguay, Much of the computing technology and know-how Chile and Brazil. This equipment is used to store and was part of U.S. government aid to the countries of make available information on large numbers of real Latin America. Under the auspices of the CIA's proxy, and potential political dissidents. Data are exchanged the Agency for International Development (AID), among the security forces of the various governments of South American police forces were were provided, in the the Southern Cone in order to keep tabs on both early 70's, with weapons, training and data processing domestic dissidents and exiled refugees. equipment. The Computer Decisions article goes on to note The government of Argentina continues to receive that "In Buenos Aires, the Federal Police are using elec­ U.S. aid, taking in $34.9 million in 1976 in military aid, tronics so advanced that even the most modern (North) as well as hundreds of millions from other U.S. agencies American police forces have no comparable gear." An and international organizations in which the U.S. plays example is the Digicom system, made by E-systems of a leading role.

July-Aug. 1977 17 A Review of Eat Your Heart Out: Food Profiteering in America

by Jim Hightower (Crown Publishers, 1975). 294 pp. $8.95. Reviewed by Cary Fowler.

A few years back, a number of Fifty corporations now account once-independent farmers are be­ public interest groups in Washing­ for about 60 percent of total food coming hired hands for the corpora­ ton got together to launch a "Food manufacturing assets. Certain food tions or emigrants to the cities. Ap­ Action Campaign" aimed at alerting items are under the complete control proximately 78 percent of the vege­ citizens to the concentrated power of a single corporation. Other food tables now processed by the likes of of the food industry and its evils. lines are dominated by just three or Del Monte, Tenneco and Coke are The Campaign called on a few well­ four huge conglomerates who no grown under contract. The farmer known people with particular cred­ longer compete against each other: agrees to produce a certain crop in a ibility to travel around the country it's more profitable to gouge you certain way according to given spreading information about the im­ than a corporate rival. United specifications for a stated price. If a pact of the modern, monopolistic Brands and Del Monte, for instance, potato farmer doesn't like Boeing's corporation - a Del Monte, for ex­ control 85 percent of the North contract, for instance, he or she can ample. Bess Myerson had just re­ American banana market. Four cor­ look forward to a long winter of po­ signed as New York City's con­ porations (including General Mills tato eating, as Hightower says, be­ sumer affairs director. The group which owns the game, "Monopoly") cause often only one corporation decided to ask her to join them. The account for over 90 percent of the will buy the produce. In 1974 A&P request went through her staff. Days breakfast food sales. Solid oligop­ was found guilty of conspiring to fix passed. Finally the reply came that olies (the four largest corporations) prices paid to cattlemen. Safeway she would be unable to help in the control over 50 percent of the mar­ and Kroger were also named as de­ campaign because (1) she didn't ket, half of this country's food in­ fendants but had the sense to settle want to get involved in such projects dustry. out of court. The federal jury found at the time, and (2) she had never Such "competition" results in that the supermarket chains had met anyone named "Adelle Monte." comfortable profit margins. A 1966 carved out regions in which they had "With that," Hightower notes, "the Federal Trade Commission study agreed not to compete with each Food Action Campaign realized found a 7.5 percent average net other in buying fresh meat. Many that it had a long way to go to make profit for corporations operating in sellers- one buyer. people aware of corporate food the competitive sectors of the food This is power unaffected by the power. Consumers were asleep at industry. Those operating in the inefficiencies of giantism. The cor­ the switch." oligopolistic enclaves banked 14.2 porations are notoriously inefficient Hightower's book is about "food percent. at everything but turning a profit. profiteering in America" - no The giant food corporations The story's the same down on the more, no less. It poses the question: solidify their positions with tons of farm. Every USDA study to date If the free-enterprise system is work­ advertising hype. They create mar­ has found that the "family" farm is ing, why all the junk food and de­ kets for their goods, and their goods more efficient than the big corpor­ clining nutritional standards, why sell. Precious supermarket shelf ate farm. Nevertheless, the govern­ widespread hunger, why exorbitant space is allotted not to the product ment regularly rewards the corpor­ profits and the insulting ads, why that represents sensible eating or ate growers, processors, and sellers the decline of the family farmer? The good nutrition, but to the product at the expense of the private citizen. answer in a word, is oligopoly, the that moves fast. Sales and profit, not Hightower likes to say that when the term Hightower most often uses to nutrition, determine shelf small farmers drive up to Washing­ describe the shared monopoly which space ... and America's dinner. If ton, they're ignored; when big busi­ dominates the food industry. people demand nutrition, that's ex­ ness drives up, they get curb service. tra. (Total cereal is nothing more One of the most interesting, This review originally appeared in than Wheaties with a penny's worth though not most significant, areas of Southern Exposure, a quarterly publica­ tion of the Institute for Southern of vitamins added, but it costs a government aid to big business in­ Studies. Subscriptions are $8 a year, and quarter more.) volves research. Federally financed their address is P.O. Box 230, Chapel Increasingly, this unbridled power research is a thinly disguised subsidy Hill, N.C. 27514. is reaching back to the farms, where for the food corporations. When

/8 Sciencefor the People kudzu, corporations are not easily cut down. And like the pernicious weed, once cut down it's only a mat­ ter of time before they come back with a vengeance. Serious regulation of corpora­ tions' profit-making activities is not possible within the existing econom­ ic system. Nor is it likely given our present social and political systems (which we can work to change). Un­ HAODTO EAT restrained growth and rising profits are necessary to every corporation's existence and well-being. But if the corporate well-being is antithetical to our own then the question be­ comes not whether or how to regu­ Hershey decided to decrease the size Tasty's research department came late the corporations but how to of its chocolate bar, a University of up with "Superkake," and Tasty's wrest control of our food-producing California research department bred sales of cakes and pies were off to a systems from this special interest a small almond because the regular 70-percent increase. With the gov­ group. If all people are to be ade­ sized almond made Hershey's bar ernment's help these two corpora­ quately fed in this country, if there is look too small. tions are turning a handsome profit such a thing as a "right to food," The University of Georgia has and children are learning that break­ then we as citizens must gain control been at work on a featherless fast is sugar and a brand name. In over the food we eat. We must have chicken so the big processors won't response to this trend, one Rutgers the power to decide what is pro­ have to waste money plucking them. University technologist, demon­ duced, how it is produced and who And then there's the famous hard strating a dubious concern for nutri­ produces it. tomato, star of Hightower's last tion, suggested we infuse corn and Finally, while Eat Your Heart book, Hard Times, Hard Tomatoes. peas with sugar. "Then," he told the Out is the best book around about Hard enough to pick mechanically, New York Times, "children will eat the domestic activities of the food it has no (recognizable) tomato them like peanuts." No wonder industry giants, it completely ig­ taste. Even if it's not ripe, it's red - American diets are less nutritious nores the overseas activities of these thanks to chemicals and "degreen­ today than they were in 1955. Con­ corporations - why these corpora­ ing rooms." And now that the Uni­ sumption of fruits, vegetables, milk, tions are swarming over foreign versity of California has isolated 70 cheese and cereals has declined. lands, what they are doing there and chemicals which cause tomato taste, They have been replaced by the ris­ how it affects the local people and it's only a matter of time before they ing consumption of soft drinks, ourselves. In three decades multi­ inject the flavor back in. candy, ice cream, potato chips and national agribusiness conglomerates Monopoly power teams up with cookies. transformed an essentially regional government power to spell trouble When it comes time to talk about "food system" into a national and for us non-aligned citizens in still solutions to the problems of corpor­ international food system. Now other ways. For example, ITT and ate power in the kitchen, Eat Your poor people in the Third World Tasty Baking Company got the Heart Out slows down and sputters compete in the marketplace with USDA to redefine "breakfast" for a bit. I believe the book's weakness rich elites in every country including the purpose of the school meal pro­ in offering solutions stems from their own. Will American or British grams to include "fortified baked faults in its analysis of the problem. agribusiness in Kenya find it more product with cream filling." ITT's The problem, as Hightower sees it, profitable to grow food for Kenyans Hostess subsidiary then broke into is lack of competition. The answer or to grow bixa, a red dye used in the school breakfast and lunch pro­ then is to assist the small farmers in lipstick? It is the international char­ grams with "Astrofood," a vitamin their fight for survival while trim­ acter of the food system that must be "enriched," sugar-filled cake devel­ ming back the big corporations with examined if we are to understand oped under a grant from the federal enforcement of antitrust laws. Both "our own" food system, not to men­ government. Youngsters in Mem­ courses of action are to be ap­ tion the existence of and causes be­ phis, Little Rock, Atlanta and other plauded, but both should be recog­ hind "world hunger."O cities can tell you what it's like. nized as stop-gap measures. Like

July-Aug. 1977 /9 FIGHTING NUKES AT SEABROOK

Following are two articles by SftP members who were among the 1,400 people arrested for occupying the site of the proposed nuclear reactor at Seabrook, N.H. this past May Day. Although all three were jailed in the same armory, their interpretations of the events significantly differ. meeting and at the one other we had I. Lessons from Seabrook before the occupation that we had widely differing amounts of political by TeddJudd and Betsy Walker means and ends of a political action. experience. It was the first demon­ When we were asked to write The proposed tactics for the occu­ stration that some people had at­ about the Seabrook occupation we pation attracted us to participate be­ tended; it was the first arrest for decided almost immediately to dis­ cause they clearly expressed our in­ most, including the two of us. Some cuss our personal experiences and tentions. We wanted to stop nuclear of the people there were concerned how they altered our political goals power, so we sat on the construction primarily with the issue of nuclear and attitudes. This is an important site to prevent the building of a power and its dangers, while others but neglected topic. It concerns the plant. This action provided a mes­ believed that nukes are just one reasons that people join and leave sage for the press and the public more product of an elitist, profit­ our groups and actions and hence which could not be misinterpreted. seeking system. By the end of the ex­ the very strength of our causes. In addition, we wanted to dramatize perience, all of us understood more When we went to Seabrook we ex­ to the larger public the need, the clearly the ties between the nuclear pected to stay for the weekend, get means, and the possibility of de­ power industry and the state. This arrested, and return home by Mon­ termining our own energy policy. As awareness spurred on our attempts day. As it turned out we stayed two it happened, our action also allowed to evolve decision-making processes weeks at the expense of jobs and per­ us to illustrate the government­ which are radically different from sonal obligations. Why did we stay? industry alliance which resists public those of our capitalist society. Certainly the daily news reports participation. The clarity of these Nowhere were these attitudes bet­ showing our successes were impor­ statements made it personally re­ ter expressed than in the consensus tant. But even more significant were warding to participate. process. Here votes came near the the experiences which taught us But it was the common daily ex­ beginning of a discussion, rather about the relationship between the periences of the occupation which than at the end as in a majority rules let us see more clearly how the per~ system. Minority opinions, cauc­ Tedd Judd works in clinical and sonal is political. Two thousand of used into alternative or additional research neuropsychology in a us came to Seabrook with one stated proposals, sometimes significantly Boston hospital. He is a member of common goal, to stop nuclear power altered the majority proposal. Al­ the Sociobiology Group of SftP. He without using violence. Beyond that, ways the result was a compromise is a feminist with interest in human each of us came with our own which everyone could accept. This rights and the behavioral sciences. individual political goals. But we method was used even when severe Betsy Walker worked in neuro­ found as we worked together that time pressures made the majority biology labs for several years. She is these goals also often became com­ rules system extremely tempting. now becoming increasingly inter­ mon ones. But sensitivity to individuals did not ested in nutrition issues, and is a Our affinity group of sixteen get in the way of our actions, and the member of the Food and Nutrition people was typical of many. We first resulting affirmation which came Group of SftP. She has also worked got together a week before the oc­ from sticking to the consensus pro­ on the editorial committee of the cupation for a five-hour session of cedure added immeasureably to our magazine and on women's issues non-violence training led by organ­ solidarity and spirit. within the organization. Both Tedd izers of the occupation. A few of us All positions of responsibility and Betsy plan to continue their knew each other, but most of us were rotated, often daily, including work with the Clamshell Aliance. were strangers. We found at that facilitators (chairpeople) of the

20 Science for the People Photographs by Ellen Shub

The photos ofSeabrook on this and the following pages were taken by Ellen Shub, a Boston-based free­ lance photographer who has been documenting people's movement struggles since 1973, particularly those involv­ ing feminism, health care, and environmental issues.

meetings, representatives to speak with the media, and affinity group spokespeople. These positions were open to all volunteers, although sometimes tempered by the decis­ ions of a group: for instance, the media committee weighed carefully the democratic balance of press con­ ference teams. Slowly, those with greater skill at a task learned to train those with less experience and to ap­ preciate and seek their contribu­ tions. Respect for individuals was a pri­ ority throughout, with a special ef­ fort to eliminate sexism. Women were well represented in the rota­ tions of all positions. Usually the facilitator of a large meeting made a point of asking for opinions from people who had not yet spoken. When this failed to happen, the regular business of a meeting was of­ ten stopped by someone crying "Process!" and pointing out that a speak. Sometimes this brought out came to offer, accept an<.· seek com­ woman had been quietly holding up new alternatives, sometimes it ments on individual behavior in her hand for several minutes while clearec} up misunderstandings. The meetings. Criticism and self-criti­ more vocal men had been quickly elimination of sexism could not, of cism were also institutionalized: called upon. Facilitators who found course, be accomplished in a few each person had a chance to com­ themselves unable to cope with both days, and women still sometimes felt ment on the meeting of a small the content and the process of a the need to get support by forming group at the end without fear of re­ meeting occasionally stepped down groups for women only. buttal. In larger groups time was set and let someone else facilitate for a Our process was also helped out aside for evaluation comiPents. while. In smaller groups, too, the by an openness to criticism among Our decision-making process was less articulate were encouraged to both friends and strangers - we made much more personal, enjoy-

July-Aug. 1977 :!I able and efficient by the frequent use Towards the end, arbitrary groups of small groups. Most major decis­ were formed for each discussion and ions were first discussed by everyone this exposed us to fresh opinions, let in groups of 5-20. This gave all a us meet new people, and increased chance to air their views, clear up our -feelings of unity with the whole misunderstandings and hear a vari­ group. ety of opinions. It refined and weed­ Our community in the Man­ ed out proposals and provided chester Armory (also known as Per­ everyone with preliminary thinking sonchester or New Freebrook) be­ which greatly sped the mass meet­ came remarkably self-reliant. We es­ ings. At first, this was done by af­ tablished a postal service among the finity groups, but as arrest and ar­ five New Hampshire armories where raignment broke up groups we occupiers were staying, a library, an found it first necessary and then de­ information desk, and a barber sireable to form new groups. shop. Vegetarians ate from an al-

ternative food table established from food we had brought in with us or that was donated by food coops. Health care workers set up a table and dispensed western medicine as well as herbal teas, Chinese Tiger Balm, and goldenseal ointment. A fine arts center with watercolors and scissors kept people busy for hours painting banners, pictures or faces. The large cardboard boxes our cots came in rapidly became kiosks, decorations, tables, and private spaces. We made music at all times of the day with guitars, recorders, kazoos, and especially with our voices. We sang political songs, friendship songs, and songs written just for the occasion. Usually our daily town meetings started with singing, and when they got tense we sometimes broke the tension with music. Once we sang songs to drown out the loudspeaker as we resisted when they tried to take several of us to trial with inadequate time to pre­ pare, and we celebrated that victory

22 Science fur the People our community with the shared val­ fectiveness as it is to our personal ues and the trust we had built up in satisfaction: our goals for society each other, and it was hard for us to ought to be reflected in the function­ watch them leave, returning to out­ ing of our political activities. By side friends and freedoms. When­ gaining experience in groups which ever a person left, escorted to the are maximally responsive to all indi­ door by her affinity group, everyone viduals, we are doing more than else stopped what they were doing to serving ourselves; we are providing applaud the leaving one in thanks an example and a precedent for a for what she had given. better organization of the workplace We learned a lesson at Seabrook and of other social institutions.D which is as vital to our political ef-

with song. We had dances, talent shows or theater almost every night at which we spoofed our meals and meetings, our fears and frustrations. All of these things created a very real sense of togetherness and friendship among the people in the armory. From this sense came our confi­ dence and our political strength. But life in the armory was by no means light and easy. There were times for all of us of fear, loneliness and frustration. Seven hundred people in one room can be fun, but the lack of power to leave the room and to find solitude and quiet pro­ duced a tension in all of us. Usually, however, we were unhappy at differ­ ent times from our friends. People who had been strangers a week be­ fore gave us support, ears, hugs and an incredible amount of trust. When they needed it, we gave it back to them. Every day a few people bailed out of the armory to get back to jobs, exams, family or other commit­ ments. It was hard for them to leave

July-Aug. 1977 23 FIGHTING NUKES AT SEABROOK

II. Whither Clam?

by Frank Bove I am among the Clam members I have been a member of the Bos­ who are openly socialist. We have ton Clamshell Alliance since March our disagreements, but we all agree of this year. I was arrested at Sea­ that Clam must make an a/l-out at­ brook, N.H., and spent ten days in tempt to reach out to unions and the Manchester Armory. Being a progressive community groups (e.g. socialist and a member of the Sci­ tenant groups) in order to broaden ence for the People Energy Group its base and organize working (Boston), I had to grapple with the people and minorities. Unlike some problem of working as a socialist in reformist organizations, Clam is not a reformist, "mass" organization. hostile to socialists. All socialists What follows are observations on who oppose nuclear power and Boston Clam's political strengths agree to participate non-violently in and weaknesses based on my work Clam actions are welcome. I am in Clam, my experience at the Sea­ now working with Clam's Resource brook site and in the Manchester Committee preparing a pamphlet on Armory after the occupation. jobs and energy. Clam supported Clamshell Alliance is for the most my efforts to form a new committee part a young, white, middle-class to do outreach among unions and organization. Like the anti-war progressive community groups. movement, there is a hodge-podge Thus, my experience seems to indi­ of political viewpoints. There are cate that socialists can play an active liberal environmentalists who are role in shaping Clam's direction as primarily worried about pollution. well as put forward an explicitly soc­ There are philosophical pacifists (eg. ialist analysis of nuclear power and American Friends Service Commit­ energy issues in general. tee and other Clam Quakers) who The major problem for socialists devoutly believe in passive, non-vio­ in Clamshell is the organization's lent action, and who have marched political passivity towards broad­ on numerous occasions against war based organizing. Specifically, our and the war industry. The Clam task is first, to convince others of the Quakers are for social change, but importance of broadening Clam's not all are explicitly anti-capitalist. base and of linking up with other They avoid such words as "social­ progressive struggles, and second, to ism" and "working class." They al­ push Clam to place major emphasis so constitute the majority tendency on actions and activities which will in Clam right now. accomplish these aims.

Frank Bove, formerly the office The Politics of Example coordinator for SftP, is an active member of the New American Clamshell's strategy against nuc­ Movement, SftP and the Clamshell lear power has been to occupy the ______Alliance. site by nonviolent direct action or

}4 Science for the People - civil disobedience. This strategy dis- of the lack of political experience of to change the minds of Governor tinguishes Clam from other anti­ most occupiers and the confusing Thomson, the heads of GE, West­ nuke organizations in the U.S. who situation in the armories. ing house, the utilities, and other have fought nuclear power in the First, Clam had done an excellent multinationals, the huge financial courts and at government regulatory job of planning the occupation it­ institutions, universities and think hearings. Clam hopes to organize a self, and I believe the entire opera­ tanks which have all invested heavily grassroots movement by its direct tion was for the most part successful in nuclear power. action tactics. But there is, at pres­ in stimulating the anti-nuke move­ Many thought that Thomson was ent, a majority tendency in Clam ment. But, Clam was not really pre­ the main enemy and that chang­ which sees direct, non-violent action pared for the long imprisonment. ing his mind would be enough to primarily as a way of "setting an ex­ None of us really thought we would stop the Seabrook plant. They had ample" and "expressing one's cons­ be in jail so long, nor did we expect all forgotten the defeated initiatives cience." This "politics of example" that our rights as prisoners would be in other states, the massive media has taken precedence over grass­ denied. We were confused, ill-pre­ blitzes of the energy giants, and the roots community organizing. pared, and this led to our initial pas­ Carter program which called for a At Seabrook, -we were all con­ sivity. Hopefully, next time we will nuclear speedup. They had little cerned with organizing ourselves be ready to take action quickly to political sense of the forces against and maintaining a non-violent occu­ demand our rights. them, nor did they realize that with­ pation. It was true that we were to Second, there was a general lack out worker support, the movement

some degree cooperating with the of political understanding among against nuclear power will be sound­ legal authorities during the occupa­ the occupiers. The majority seemed ly defeated. tion, but we were also breaking the to underestimate the power and de­ A small group of us fought law. Once the arrests occurred, how­ termination of the nuclear con­ against this "Woodstock fever." ever, many of the occupiers trans­ glomerate. They seemed to believe Sure it was great to play music, work formed themselves into passive, that setting an example by staying in out our feelings, sing and dance to­ obedient, self-denying Clams. I be­ the armories indefinitely, setting up gether! But we argued that this com­ lieve this transformation resulted a "model" community, and gener­ munity spirit had to be organized in from l) lack of adequate planning ally cooperating with the National our own neighborhoods. The most by Clam, 2) the general political im­ Guard, would show our determina­ important action we could take was maturity of many occupiers, and 3) tion to stop nuclear power. They be­ not to build a "model" community subtle, and perhaps not deliberate, lieved that this was the most import­ in the armory, but to get out of the manipulation by Quaker Clams ant action we could take. I could not armory and organize. Organizing a whose opinions prevailed in the face see how this "action" was supposed model community in the armory

July-Aug. 1977 25 was relatively easy. There was little majority's notion of "non-violent peace, and they were very sensitive cultural or class diversity. The real action." Instead of worrying about to people's needs and anxieties. test is building model communities being nice to the guards, we were However, through a complex pro­ in the Boston and other metro­ more interested in linking our strug­ cess, they also forced (consciously politan areas. gle with struggles in other prisons and unconsciously) their positions Confusion around the struggle for for prisoners' rights. Instead of hob­ on the group, creating a stifling our legal rights hampered our ef­ nobbing with the General of the "solidarity." forts. Should we cooperate fully National Guard, we talked to one of Being one of the minority of dissi­ with the National Guard? Or should the guards who was involved in a dents I want to be self-critical also. we force the state's hand by nonco­ strike-boycott against a supermar­ We did not organize ourselves nor operation? the majority was for ket conglomerate and spread the did we adequately caucus with other complete cooperation. In the begin­ word throughout the armory. Clams to get our ideas across until ing, I was for limited cooperation, Finally, I want to make a stab at too late. Instead, at the large meet­ which meant that we should demand analyzing the role of the Quakers in ings we expressed our anger and our rights, but not confront the giving Clamshell its tactical direc­ frustration because our positions guards. It soon became evident to tion. The Quakers, in general, and a were being rejected by the majority. me and others that · this strategy group called the Movement for a This was our mistake. would not succeed. We began to New Society (MNS), specifically, The Quakers were primarily con­ push for non-violent confrontation filled the leadership vacuum in the cerned with diffusing anger to pre­ and non-cooperation to force the armory largely because they were vent chaos from breaking out. But state to grant us our rights. We more organized and experienced in these tactics were also a good polit­ spoke out against the passivity non-violent action. They played an ical move by them because they iso­ which seemed to adhere to the important role in maintaining lated the dissidents and made them look like "disrupters." Whether the Quakers were aware of this subtle manipulation or not, I don't know. It is important to be able to reduce tension at meetings in order to deal with the politics behind the tension. But what happened was that after the tension was relaxed, discussion about the issues which produced the tension did not take place or was in­ adequate. We were isolated; our anger was stifled, or it was consid­ ered illegitimate or even dangerous, and the passive tendency remained in control. The majority, in this case, sup­ ported passive non-violent action as the best tactic against nuclear power because it allows one to express one's conscience and set an example for the world to see. But who conveys that message to the world? Can we trust the media? Obviously not! More importantly, is this type of political action capable of attracting worker support, or is it more likely to gain the support of students and "weekend warriors?" These are the questions which have come out of the spectacular success of the occupation. It is time for. Clam to rise to a new level of struggle.D

16 Science for the People Are Sex Roles Biologically

Re-emergence of "Biology is Destiny"

Determined? In the past ten years, a succession of highly publi­ cized scientific works have purported to demonstrate that women's subordinate position in our society is due, Freda Salzman in good part, to innate (genetic) differences between males and females, and not to external factors as claimed by the women's movement. These theories are simply new constructions of that old theme, "Biology is Destiny." Furthermore, these theories argue that sex roles are resistant to change and that dire consequences will result if we try to change them. The current wave of theories about biological sex role differences took off in the mid-sixties with the be­ ginning of a deluge of books of the "naked apery" genre.(l) By selectively using and misrepresenting the available data,(2) the proponents of the "naked apery" theory of human behavior claimed that male aggression, male dominance and war in our society were, and are, inevitable products of the genes which we share with the apes, the species evolutionarily closest to us. Other re­ search reports seemed to confirm innate male aggres­ siveness by supposedly discovering that males with an additional Y chromosome commit violent crimes at a higher rate than do normal XY males. It was claimed that the Y chromosome contributes to aggressive ten­ dencies in normal males, and that XYY "supermales" with two Y chromosomes are prone to "super­ violence." (It is now known that there is no correlation of XYY males with higher rates of violent crime(3)-nor is there any credible vidence that normal males are innately more aggressive than females.(4)) In 1973, sociologist Steven Goldberg published The Inevitability of Patriarchy, which directly attacked the women's movement. The title of the book speaks for it­ Freda Salzman is a longtime member of SftP, and for self. Using highly questionable evidence,(4) Goldberg the past year has been working with the Sociobiology claimed that the subordination of women is an inevit­ Study Group of the Boston Chapter. She worked for a able outcome of hormonal effects on males, which pro­ number of years with a group of women in the Women, duce male aggression, genius and ability and which Science and Social Control Collective. She teaches phys­ leads to male dominance. Finally, the attack on the ics at the University of Massachusetts/Boston. women's movement - and on people in general who are seeking social change - escalated to a new and Acknowledgement: The analysis presented in this article is dangerous level with the publication in 1975 of E.O. based in part on work done by the Women, Science and Social Wilson's Sociobiology: The New Synthesis, a book Control Collective. I am indebted to Marian Lowe for helpful which received the greatest acclaim of all in the current discussions. wave.

July-Aug. 1977 27 Sociobiology attempts to show that salient features that the attempt to establish a genetic basis for social­ of our present society are biologically determined. Ac­ sexual differences (or for inequalities based on class and cording to the theory, socially significant human traits race) in a society in which the sexes are differentially are genetically based and have evolved under the influ­ reared is "bad" science. Moreover, even if we could es­ ence of natural selection. Employing the same discred­ tablish a genetic basis for sex differences in our society, ited methodology as the "naked apery" theory,(5) this would tell us nothing about how plastic or resistant Sociobiology has at its heart the thesis that hierarchy these traits would be to changes in the environment. The and patriarchy are inevitable. The growing number of same criticisms have been leveled against attempts to es­ popularizations of the theory have particularly focused tablish a genetic basis for class and race differences. upon claims for innate male-female differences. The re­ (This has been discussed with respect to the I.Q. contro­ emergence of interest in sex-difference research is part of versy.) a general resurgence of biological determinist theories which try to demonstrate that our highly stratified soci­ "Sex in Brain"- Past ety, based mainly on class, race and sex, is due to gen­ In The Study of Sociology (1873), Herbert Spencer etic differences between these groups and not to societal ascribed women's inferior mental capabilities to factors. Historically, biological determinism as a theory their "arrested" evolutionary development, which was of the status quo has been widely publicized and encour­ required in order to save their "vital power to meet the aged during periods of considerable social unrest and cost of reproduction." Furthermore, through "struggles questioning of societal institutions. for existence" in which the fittest women were those Clearly, the group which benefits most from such who survived against "aggressive, unscrupulous, in­ theories is an extremely small but wealthy and privil­ tensely egoistic" stronger males, "women's nature" eged class. This elite, through its extensive control of the evolved to please men, to disguise their own feelings, to media, education and funding institutions, can strongly rely on intuition, and to admire male power - and influence public opinion and the direction of research. power in general. These supposedly innate feminine at­ The elite finds it far easier to promote theories which tributes obviously reflected the upper- and middle-class undermine demands for equality than to spend money Victorian ideal of true Womanhood. to eliminate inequality. For example, the main way in which women are discriminated against is through sex­ stereotyped jobs. Women now comprise about forty Sociobiology has at its heart the thesis ~ercent of the wage labor force and are demanding that hierarchy and patriarchy are equal pay for equal work. From the corporate man­ inevitable. agers' point of view, it would be excessively expensive to create that many new well-paying jobs. Sociobiology is clearly comparable, in principles, scope and framework, to Social Darwinism, the most Scientists attempted to "verify" women's mental widely held theory of biological determinism in the later inferiority and inferior "nature" by studying the size, nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Social Dar­ weight, shape and fissural patterns of the brain. In 1887, winism, which applied the ideas of evolutionary biology a well-known New York neurologist and former United to social development, strongly justified the established States Surgeon General claimed in an article in the social order of the period - a fiercely and brutally com­ Popular Science Monthly that the female brain was petitive capitalist economic system and a stratified soc­ measurably inferior to that of a man. Incensed, Helen ial structure, again based primarily on class, race and Hamilton Gardener (pen name of Alice Chenoweth sex. In the U.S. Social Darwinism provided important Day, a prominent women's suffrage leader)(6) took up support for the eugenics movement which led to sterili­ the study of brain anatomy and in 1888 wrote a paper zation laws in a number of states and the immigration entitled, "Sex in Brain." Assuming the data to be as al­ law of 1924, which restricted immigration on the basis leged, she set out to prove that the brain mass of a wom­ of national origin. an was not demonstrably different from that of a man In the remainder of this article, I will focus on the who grew up under the same conditions and with the study of the sexual differentiation of the brain, for two same opportunity for development. As a result of her reasons. One is that the mechanism currently proposed studies, she discovered that on the average, brain differ­ by scientists to explain sex-differentiated behavior is the ences between persons of the same sex and achievements effect of sex hormones on the brain. Since this research were much more marked than any that were known to is fairly sophisticated and sounds credible, I think we exist between the sexes. Gardener willed her own brain should know more about this work, the questions it to the famous Wilder Brain Collection at Cornell Uni­ asks, and the evidence it offers. Second, I hope to show versity. Examination of her brain was reported to reveal

28 Science for the People high development in all regions and supposedly fewer tionary development)." The hypothalamus-limbic sys­ sex differences than in other female brains. At the time, tem is concerned with the self-regulation of the various this was attributed to her being an exceptional wom­ body functions such as eating, drinking, and mating be­ an.(?) The general effort, however, to correlate gross havior, as well as emotion and motivation. The hypo­ brain s~ructure with intellectual achievements and per­ thalamus both secretes and responds to hormones. The sonality traits was unsuccessful, and interest in this work hypothalamus of the female rat has been shown to regu­ tapered off. late, through its effect on the pituitary and the feedback At first women perversely came out ahead on what influence of ovarian hormones, the cyclic pattern of were considered to be crucial measurements: ratios of ovulation. This mechanism appears to be the basic one brain weight to body weight(8) and scores on the first for female cyclicity in all mammalian species. Stanford-Binet IQ test in 1916.(9) These results were quietly put aside. Subsequent IQ tests were standardized Scientists are now trying to explain the so that males and females had equal averages. Freud's theory of the psychology of women finally differences in behavior between men located a woman's crucial deficiency - she lacked a and women by the effects before birth penis. From this indisuptable anatomical fact, Freud of sex hormones on the brain. constructed a whole theory - now known to be without substance(lO)- which explained women's subordinate role in society, a theory based on the biological What do these results mean for human behavior? determinist notion that "Anatomy is Destiny." The Biological determinists claim that the hypothalamus­ selective use of Freudian ideas in this country helped to limbic system is "wired" or "programmed" for instinc­ reinforce woman's traditional - and subordinate - tual behavior, as Wilson does in the opening paragraphs role as wife and mother and to provide an ideology by of Sociobiology: which the increasing number of women who were enter­ The hypothalamus-limbic complex of a highly soc­ ing the wage labor force failed to see themselves as real ial species such as man [sic], "knows," or more workers. Due to the predominant belief that the precisely it has been programmed to perform as if differential social and economic status of different it knows, that its underlying genes will be prolifer­ groups in society was biologically determined, Freudian ated maximally only if it orchestrates behavioral ideas were readily accepted even by women. responses that bring into play an efficient mixture Current Research of personal survival, reproduction, and altru­ ism.(l2) There has been considerable effort in current re­ search to demonstrate that supposed innate differences Other biological determinists are less "deterministic" in male-female behavior are due to the effects of sex hor­ with respect to the role of sex hormones in establishing mones on the brain. Extensive studies in rats have male-female differences. They realize that the diversity shown that in a critical period during the first week after among individuals of one sex is greater than the average birth, the testes of males secrete the male hormone tes­ difference between males and females. Furthermore, tosterone which organizes or, as it descriptively put, there is tremendous cross-cultural variation concerning "lays down the circuits for," a male brain. The male­ what is considered "male" and "female" behavior. organized brain is irreversible, leads to an essentially These "limited" determinists acknowledge that the pre­ acyclic (male) pattern of sex hormone production, and dominant influence in establishing gender differences is determines characteristic stereotyped male behavior, the social transmission of behavioral norms. Money and which in rats is mounting and fighting. The brain of a Ehrhardt, in their book Man and Woman, Boy and rat which is not exposed to testosterone (or high levels Girl, describe cases in which chromosomal XX females of other sex hormones which are closely related) during were successfully reared as males and chromosomal XY the critical period develops an irreversible female­ males as females. These cases indicate the overriding im­ organized brain. This leads to a cyclic pattern of ovarian portance of social factors. Nevertheless, on the basis of function and ovulation, with an estrus period ("heat"), sex hormone studies in animals and extremely limited when stereotypical female behavior is displayed. This studies of humans, Money and Ehrhardt emphasize behavior includes assuming the lordosis position (eleva­ throughout the book the effect of prenatal hormones in tion of the rump) in the presence of mature organizing male-female brains. They state that (he pres­ males. ence or absence of male hormones establishes "certain The part of the brain of the rat which is most in­ patterns or organization in the brain, especially, by in­ volved in this sex-differentiated behavior is the hypo­ ference, in the hypothalamic pathways that will subse­ thalamus and the limbic system (an "old" or "prim­ quently influence certain aspects of sexual behav­ itive" part of the mammalian brain in terms of evolu- ior. "(13) They claim that chromosomal females exposed

July-Aug. 1977 29 to excess prenatal androgens, the male hormones, are prone to be "tomboys," while chromosomal males ex­ posed to insufficient prenatal androgens are prone to be f_~DM;~ I "rather placid."(l4) This theme is rapidly being picked up by others, who then argue that inequality of the sexes ~RKI~ is due in good part to biological differences arising from hormonally produced, sexually differentiated propen­ sities in behavior.(l5) Thus, for example, anthropolo­ gist Patricia Draper speaks of the importance of fetal hormones in "pre-programming" the brain which causes the sexes to respond differentially to certain stimuli. Sociologist Alice Rossi adds a "bio-evolution­ ary perspective" to show how sexually-differentiated behavior evolved under the influence of natural selec­ tion, a purely speculative discussion once again made respectable by sociobiology. What have actual studies in humans demonstrated? Needless to say, human females have not been observed to go into estrus during which time they present their rumps to mature males. In humans and in non-human primates, there does not seem to be a critical period for the irreversible differentiation of the brain with respect to the male or female pattern of hormonal produc­ tion,(l6) although some sex-differentiation is expected in the hypothalamus. The cyclic female pattern can oc­ cur after human (and non-human primate) females have out. The so-called premenstrual syndrome experienced been exposed to high levels of androgens before and by many women and characterized by heightened ir­ after birth, and experiments on rhesus monkeys indicate ritability and tensions may be due to physiological fac­ the capacity for cyclical response remains totally intact tors such as water retention, constipation, nausea and in adult males. So even this "old" part of the brain, breast pains.(l8) In particular, depression and water re­ which one might expect to -be the most "wired" or pro­ tention may be caused by sodium retention and potas­ grammed with respect to this specific physiological sium depletion in cells, due to the sharply dropping lev­ function, appears to be far more plastic in humans - els of progesterone (one of the hormones produced in and non-human primates -than originally anticipated, the cycle) prior to the onset of the period. Inadequate and also not to be sexually differentiated. diet and insufficient excercise may also contribute to the physiology of the syndrome. Socialization appears to be an important factor since a woman's attitude towards her oncoming period may influence her mood. In addi­ The hypothalamus appears not to be tion, the very definition of the premenstrual syndrome sexually differentiated in humans and appears to be questionable.(l9) so is incapable of explaining sex One of the most frequently cited human examples differences in behavior. which is claimed to demonstrate the sexual differentia­ tion of the brain (and which supports the contention that the results found in rats also apply to humans) is that of a small number of chromosomal XX females In order to explore the effects of hormones on be­ who were exposed while still in the womb to unusually havior, studies of the behavior of women with respect to high levels of androgens, the "male" hormone. These hormonal change during the menstrual cycle have been fetally androgenized females, as they are called, were carried out. These studies - clearly not done to help actually born with male genitalia in various stages of women - seek evidence of a "wired-in" response, that development and later underwent corrective surgery. is, correlations between mood, sexuality and mating po­ The subsequent behavior of a group of twenty-five fet­ sitions, and hormonal levels. At best we can say that ally androgenized females, along with that of a control these studies are inconclusive and provide evidence of group, was studied by Money and colleagues and re­ the methodological problems with all such investiga­ ported in Man and Woman, Boy and Girl. These fetally tions. Hormones cause real, noticeable physiological androgenized females were reported to engage in more changes, as women using birth control pills have found "tomboyish" activities than the controls, but not to

30 Science for the People such an extent as to make them conspicuously different General Critique from other girls. This whole effect can be explained plausibly by environmental differences, resulting from What conclusions can we draw from these studies? the parents' ambivalence toward their daughters born My various remarks give some of the basis for the state­ with male genitalia. Some of the females, in fact, were ment, that there is at this time no credible scientific evi­ actually assigned the male sex at birth. dence that genetic basis exists for any socially signifi­ cant human behavior trait (in the normal range) or for It is now clear that in humans and non-human social forms in our society - and, of course, this in­ primates, the cerebral cortex (the "new" brain) tends to cludes male-female behavioral differences and sex-roles dominate brain functions, and modifies the influence of in our society. Claims to date of genetic bases for the hypothalamus-limbic system on the expression and socially significant traits are either methodologically regulation of emotion. In humans, the cerebral cortex flawed or purely speculative. has primary control of all higher functions and is ex­ tremely plastic. A given physiological state in humans can have a variety of quite diverse behavioral expres­ sions, depending .on past learning experience and the It is simply not possible to divide social situation.(20) behavior into separate genetic and The latest claims for a sex-differentiated brain are environmental components and to based on psychological tests of functions which involve discuss them separately. the cerebral cortex. The brain is divided into two hemis­ pheres, and a number of functions appear to be con­ trolled in the left or right hemisphere. This is called left or right lateralization. Language and analytic abilities One might still ask: What about sex-differentiation appear to be left lateralized; visual-spacial functions to of the brain? As I indicated above, on the basis of ex­ be right lateralized. There are some reports that boys' periments on rodents, it has been anticipated that there and girls' brains may be lateralized differently with re­ will be some biological differences between male and fe­ spect to certain tasks such as those involving visual­ male brains at the level of the hypothalamus, although spacial ability. The hypothesis is now being put forward less than once believed. If differences in lateralization in that these differences in lateralization are correlated boys' and girls' brains exist, they may well be accompa­ with differences in performance.(21) This suggestion nied by measurable differences in the brain anatomy. has been seized upon to explain women's supposedly in­ (Parenthetically, I must add at this point that differ­ ferior mental achievements - and, as usual, has gotten ences in the average performance between any groups front-page publicity in the newspapers, as in an article based on race, class or sex, are usually small compared entitled "Why there are few female geniuses," which ap­ to differences between individuals of a given group. peared recently in a Boston newspaper.(22) Thus, there is usually considerably overlap in abilities. It is rather manipulative use of statistics to explain, for example, sex-roles as being due to average differences between males and females, since in almost all traits Rats from the same litter placed in there are a good number of females who score higher different environments have than most males and this great diversity is not at all re­ measurable differences in brain flected by the positions which males and females have in anatomy and chemistry. Such a fact our society.) makes it difficult to attribute even The question, then, is if biological differences exist, differences in brain anatomy to genetic what is their significance? That is, to what extent are the differences due to genetic or to environmental determin­ factors. ants? In effect, we are back at the Nature-Nurture ques­ tion which re-emerged with the claim made by Jensen and Herrnstein that the difference in mean IQ scores be­ Differences in lateralization in boys' and girls' tween races and classes was due to genetic factors. Some brains (if these results are correct) bring us back to the of the crucial data, that of Cyril Burt, on which Jensen claims being made in the 1880's of innate male-female and Herrnsteiil based their argument, has been shown to differences in gross brain anatomy and their correlation be fraudulent. But even if this were not the case, careful with intellectual achievement and personality traits. critiques show that the fundamental question which Jen­ Helen Hamilton Gardener's objection to these claims is sen and Herrnstein raised is strictly meaningless scien­ still valid today and is supported by other experiments tifically. (23) It is simply not possible to divide behavior which show that structural and functional differences in into separate genetic and environmental components the brain may result from environmental influences. and to discuss them separately.

July-Aug. 1977 31 The reason for this is that there is an extremely im­ Just as in the case of the supposedly more biolog­ portant part, called the genetic-environmental interac­ ically determinist theories which claim that differences tion, which makes such a division mathematically im­ in socially significant behavioral traits are genetically possible. The following hypothetical example illustrates based, the suggestions that the fetal hormones organize this point: Organism A with a particular set of genes the brain into male-female patterns which predispose (called genotype) performs better than organism B with the sexes to have certain "tendencies" or make them dif­ a different genotype on some task in a particular en­ ferentially sensitive to certain stimuli cannot be tested vironment. Let us assume that 80 percent of this differ­ for humans. Under these circumstances, any attempt to ence is due to genetic factors. This does not mean that in perform these experiments is "bad" science. Moreover, all the observations for which this hypothesis has been Reports that boys' and girls' brains may invoked to explain can quite plausibly be explained by be lateralized differently have been environmental factors, as critics of Money and Ehr­ hardt(4) and Patricia Draper(l5) have pointed out. seized upon to explain women's supposedly inferior achievements. Finally, we see that studying the genetic basis of human traits in any given environment tells us nothing about what the trait would be like in another environ­ every conceivable environment A will perform better ment- particularly, how plastic or resistant a trait will than B. In another environment, A may well perform be to changes in the environment. We lack a general worse than B. In humans, many genes are expected to theory to make any predictions. Even though we do not contribute to the expression of any single trait. We have have a general theory, however, there is very good evi­ no basis for assuming that the performance of all geno­ dence that we can proceed empirically to try to effect types will vary in the same way with environment. This social change. In certain third world countries, the po­ means that even if we could establish that the difference sition of women has altered radically in the last few dec­ between two groups in the performance of a particular ades: in China, Cuba, and Vietnam, the position of task was partially due to genetic differences, this result women has improved dramatically; in parts of Africa, would only be meaningful with respect to the particular which are undergoing further penetration and develop­ environment studied. It would tell us nothing about ment under the influence of Western capitalism, wom­ how either group would perform in another environ­ en's position has deteriorated.(25) Such rapid changes, ment. some for the better and some for the worse, are difficult We now come to the more immediate methodo­ to explain by biological determinism, since genetic logical problem in the nature-nurture question which we changes are extremely slow. These changes are clearly posed earlier: What can we say about biological differ­ correlated with rapid economic, political and social ences if they exist between two groups in our society? changes. We have every reason to believe that the crea­ This methodological problem is illustrated by studies of tion of a just and equal society is humanly possible.D rats conducted by M. Rosenzweig and colleagues and described in an article "Brain Changes In Response to Experience. "(24) Their experiments demonstrate that REFERENCES rats from the same litter, who are placed in environ­ ments which provide different experiences and stimula­ I. R. Ardrey, African Genesis (Dell, 1961), The Territorial tion, show measurable differences in brain anatomy and Imperative (Dell, 1966) and The Social Contract; K. Lorentz, On Aggression (Bantam, 1966); D. Morris, The Naked Ape (Dell, 1967) chemistry. The experimenters find, for example, that the and The Human Zoo (Dell, 1969); L. Tiger, Men in Groups (Vintage, rats in the "enriched" stimulative environment have 1970); and L. Tiger and R. Fox, The Imperial Animal (Dell, 1971). thicker cerebral cortices than those from the "impov­ 2. A. Montagu, ed., Man and Aggression (Oxford, 1968); D. erished" environment. There are other changes as well, Pilbeam, "The Fashionable View of Man as a Naked Ape," in New down to structural differences at the synaptic junctions York Times Magazine, September 3, 1972, p.ll; S. Slocum, "Woman the Gatherer: Male Bias in Anthropology," in Toward and Anthro­ where nerve cells make contact. pology of Women, ed. R. Reiter (Monthly Review Press, 1975), p.36; The conclusion is that it is impossible to say any­ and R.R. Leavitt, Peacable Primates and Gentle People (Harper and thing about the genetic basis for differences observed Row, 1975). between any two groups raised in different environ­ 3. H. Witkin, et a/., "Criminality in XYY and XXY Men," ments. Discovery of biological differences in brain func­ Science, 193 (13 August 1976), p.547. 4. R. Bleier, "Myths of the Biological Inferiority of Women," in tion or differences in performance between two groups The University of Michigan Papers in Women's Studies, Vol. II reared in different environments cannot be attributed to (1976), p. 39. genetic differences between groups. There is, moreover, 5. B. Chasin, "Sociobiology: A Sexist Synthesis" in Science for the a good body of evidence that indicates that environ­ People, 9 (May-June 1977), p. 27. ments for boys and girls differ from the time that social interactions begin following birth. SEX ROLES, continued on p. 43

32 Science for the People Voluntown, 1977- SftP Conference

Science for the People held its annual conference this past spring in Voluntown, Conn., on the weekend of April 15-17. Previous gatherings have been called "Northeast Regional Conferences." This one was billed as an "Eastern Regional Conference," but, with almost every active chapter in the country officially or unofficially represented, the focus of the gathering became national in scope. The goal of the conference was to evaluate the past practice of SftP in order to define future directions for the organization; and then, it was hoped, to formulate a national program for SftP centered around specific issues, like nuclear power or recombinant DNA, selected by the conference participants. The agenda, as planned, was: Friday evening. Arrival, meeting people, a skit on political economy. Saturday. A morning plenary (full session of all participants) on history and analysis of past chapter practice, composed of reports by all chapters of the previous year's work. Then, in the afternoon, small group discussions on specific issues, like the China trip or occupational health, examining the potential ofthesefor a base for a national pro­ gram. Finally, a plenary or full session on past national practice, which would include discussion of the magazine and AAAS activities. That evening: entertainment and partying. Sunday. A morning plenary to derive organizational principles for SftP, and formulate a national program. In the afternoon, sessions to implement resolutions passed. For various reasons, this agenda was transformed over the course ofthe weekend. At the request ofall the women present, a full session was held on Saturday ajiernoon to discuss sexism and the problems of group process in the organization, which include elitism and racism as well. There was also a follow-up session that evening on the same topic. Other discussions, such as the workshops on specific issues, or the session on the magazine, either had their focus shifted, were postponed or were curtailed. A potentially interminable discussion on how much national priority should be given to various issues was cur­ tailed. Thus, no national program around specific topics was formulated. The task of defining or creating a national organizational structure different from the present loose federation of chapters was postponed. Instead, a two-part resolution was passed, which set an emphasis on building new chapters and improving communication among present chapters. The second part of that resolution detailed how these goals were to be implemented: writing of chapter his­ tories, exchanging minutes, travel to new chapters, etc. Rather than try to get a group of people to write a definitive, detailed and objective report on the conference in time for this issue, the Editorial Committee decided that it was more realistic to solicit personal accounts of the week­ end from individual participants. We asked a number of people, and received the following accounts, one each from Tallahassee and Ann Arbor, and two from Boston. -E. C.

July-Aug. 1977 33 ANN ARBOR necessity for such a discussion be­ the Boston Science Teaching Group Finally, I had a chance to meet came painfully obvious while listen­ and with the magazine staff. It ad­ these people whose names appeared ing to some of the comments made. ded a personal flavor to my interac­ so anonymously in the magazine. It The fruits of that discussion were an tions with them that will make our was an exciting prospect that kept increasing awareness of the per­ work together in the future much me entertained throughout (at least vasiveness and insidiousness of the more meaningful and fruitful. part of) the sixteen-hour drive from problem. And a dedication to con­ As we drove back to Ann Arbor, I Ann Arbor to Voluntown, and the structively apply our commitment kept asking myself, "Why hadn't I reality of the conference certainly to fighting sexism to our work with­ come to these before?" and "When exceeded my fantasies. Despite the in SftP. The openness of the discus­ is the next one going to be?". lack of sleep, I managed to con­ sion was really encouraging and I -Scott Schneider centrate on the business at hand and think it immensely improved the mingle, socially and intellectually, later sessions. with the motley group of people The endless talking was exhaust­ there to our mutual benefit. Mem­ ing, but it was offset by the humor­ BOSTON I. bers from Berkeley, Tallahassee, ous skits Friday and Saturday What did you think of the region­ Urbana, NYC, etc. exchanged their nights, the idyllic surroundings of al conference?, they asked. I had to local experiences, the result being a rural Connecticut, and the friendli­ pause and think. Even now, two feeling of unity with them and of the ness and warmth of all those attend­ months later, my feelings about it national scope of the work we've ing. are very mixed. been trying to do in Ann Arbor. A particular high point for me On a personal level, I was very The Saturday session was devoted was the chance to exchange views glad to have participated in the con­ to discussing sexism in SftP. The and information with members of ference, being as it was my first SftP conference. It was good to meet people from other chapters, especi­ ally after talking on the phone or corresponding by letter with many of them for several months. I had a much stronger sense of SftP as a national organization and began to understand how it has functioned through the years as a loosely knit federation of chapters. I particularly enjoyed meeting with women from other chapters. In sharing some of our experiences and reflections on SftP I think we deepened our under­ standing of the problems of both sexism and elitism with which we have struggled separately and cre­ ated a solidarity and strength among us. In more general terms, I was rath­ er disappointed in the conference. The chapter reports Saturday morn­ ing tended to be too long, with little self-evaluation and little time as al­ lowed for criticism and response. The early afternoon discussion of sexism (which pre-empted the sched­ uled agenda) was beneficial in some ways. I felt it was important that SftP seriously look at the issues of sexism and elitism and how these af­ fect our internal process, not to

34 Science for the People mention the political work we do. For some people, the discussion was elucidating as women pointed out specific examples (like feeling in­ timidated by heavy academic jar­ ... .D" 0 gon) of the problems and their 0:: subtleties. However, although I felt E the discussion was good, I later felt 3 that rather than talk about problems ~ of sexism, we, the women, should have acted, taken political leader­ ship and used our unity and strength to assert our vision of SftP. Well, at least it was an important political lesson for the future. The small group discussions on specific topics later that afternoon seemed quite successful. It was easier to talk to exchange ideas and feelings. Another good lesson for future practice. One major problem with the con­ ference was that we seemed to have learned little from previous confer­ ences and in fact many people did BOSTON II. food tomorrow. Saw skit on Mark not even know what had taken place Twain's thoughts on political econ­ ;n the preceding years. There was a omy. Kathy was great. Glenn needs clear need for some sort of historical Caution: These are my recol­ improvement. review. It seemed like we didn't real­ lections of the Regional Conference. Saturday: Breakfast! Big meeting. ly discuss anything new; the organi­ If you're interested in what actually Heard reports from many distant zation didn't grow. happened, please turn to another ac­ chapters, along with everything ever The one resolution that was count. written in Boston. Good to know passed on chapter building and im­ Voluntown! My God, it's way be­ there are full-fledged chapters busily proving mternal lateral organiza­ yond 128! Who knows what might operating in so many places. Even a tion and communication did seem to be out there? Worked for weeks get­ paragraph in British Columbia. hold some promise for possible re­ ting the car ready for a voyage be­ Break for lunch. Women call a sults because specific steps for im­ yond the known universe (see map). separate meeting during lunch. Uh plementation were included. Should we take food? Do they use oh. Are we headed for Marx Broth­ Another lesson. gasoline out there? At last it was ers vs. Lenin Sisters? Although I have been fairly crit­ time to tempt Fate and depart. Later: Storm hits. Women speak ical of the conference I feel good Friday night: Should have of alienation of themselves and new about it as I think I learned a lot brought food. Great famine! CNV A members; a lack of personal support from it. I hope the organization has staff gives friendly welcome and dis­ in meetings, our failure to respond learned from it too. I do feel that the course on difficulties presented by to what one another says, of rhet­ chapters are committed to maintain­ vegetarianism. Assured them some oric, of men talking in speeches. ing closer, better ties with each of our best friends were vegetables. Substantial agreement. Several men other, to working on improving Seem to be mollified. Prospects for tell why the ability to speak clearly group process, and to directing in plain English is the sine qua non Glenn Wargo has been active in SftP more energy towards taking science of political dialectic. Impossible to since /972 and is now a member of to the people, as opposed to just understand. Others seem to be doing the Computer Group and the Fum­ other academics and professionals. better, as they are nodding. Or are -Kathy Greeley ing Hoods guerilla theater group. He works as a computer person and they falling asleep? has the energy of a dynamo and the Workshops. Women in Science. brain of a vacuum tube. His first Much was shared, much to think autobiography was about his car. about, there and in later plenary.

July-Aug. /977 35 TALLAHASSEE

)l~rfh Jfmerica This is a report, a testimonial and a criticism from a non-northeastern perspective. Our trip North was a multipurpose event in that we had three main objectives: First we traveled to New York City to meet with progressive stu­ dents and a full time organizer from Dominica (a country in the West Indies). Our chapter has had a "Books for Dominica" program go­ ing for some time but all informa­ tion exchange had been by mail. A ,people-to-people interview was very important (not to mention exciting) to insure that the books being sent would relate to the problems of their country. They met us at the airport and gave us a political tour of Har­ lem and Columbia University. Later they gave a two-hour interview about the various aspects of de­ velopmental science and technology in Dominica. This meeting alone would have made the trip North worthwhile, but there is much more. Next, we caught a ride with the Stony Brook SftP folk to Volun­ town. Since they also were in a China Study Group we did a lot of talking about China on the way Perhaps we are really starting to tary, as it was my turn to work on there. The conference was a very in­ come to grips with sexism. Later dis­ dish crew. Apparently Aphrodite spiring scene ... seeing that many sci­ cussion of AAAS. Confusing. sided with NSG. Hera was opposed. ence activists in one place is pretty Agreement that AAAS is of primary Achilles undecided. Discord and her heady stuff. But more about the con­ importance, although secondary. sister Stravinsky seen entering hall. ference later. Saw two plays: Agribusiness Frantic effort to finish up. Get Lastly, after the conference we crankie and "Laboratory!" Inspir­ volunteers for everything. Many de­ caught a ride with the Salzmans to ing. Must go home and organize. cisions left to last minute. Should Cambridge where we hung out at the Sunday: Much talk of magazine chapter contacts be in magazine or SftP office for a couple of days go­ and the need to spread effort and on separate sheet? What kind of ing through their resource files, back control beyond Boston. After lunch, paper? Two holes or three? Tension. issues of their exchange magazines, National Support Group presents Exhaustion. Finished. talking with SftP folk, etc. We proposal to try to define politics and Clean up and point homeward, learned a lot about the mechanics of national program of the organiza­ nervously scanning horizon. Can SftP (i.e., what makes the movement tion - a goal which seems to be you re-enter the universe at the point move). It was here that a Tallahas­ defended by some kind of cosmic you left? Does leaving create a space see person got recruited to the edit­ Dryden.* Observations fragmen- warp? At last the safety of 128 and orial collective. We also got to visit the skyline of Boston. Another con­ Rita Arditti... one of Tallahassee ference relegated to the pages of his­ SftP's favorite people. The hospital­ *Ken Dryden is goalie for the Montreal tory. By the way, was anybody tak­ ity of the Cambridge-Boston folk Canadiens hockey team. Almost impossible to score against. I was told that every article ing minutes? was astounding. We had a great had to have at least one footnote. -Glenn Wargo time.

36 Sciencej(!r the People But now back to the conference ents in that the last items on the list ure for those not well versed in parli­ and our impressions of it. The chap­ were not covered well due to a lack amentary procedure (i.e, what is a ter reports, activity group reports of time. Even on the first day, chap­ "friendly amendment", etc.). and workshops were very interesting ter reports from the "outlying (5) Not enough time was spent and useful to us, we were reinforced areas" were given last and had to be talking about the magazine and the positively. The conference was a rushed through if we were to be fin­ direction it is taking. This also was people-to-people thing and we ished on time. Mostly these were the scheduled for the last day. Our claim learned a lot about SftP that we new chapters ... the ones we can learn is that the magazine is the most im­ could never have learned by reading the most from as regards learning portant tool for locating and spark­ the magazine, by letter writing, etc. how new chapters get started. But ing local initiative to start new chap­ The China Study Group meetings the biggest bummer was the fact that ters, more important even than (seven hours of them) were very the issue of chapter Initia­ sending an organizer. valuable to us. The meeting of the tion growth was brought up on the (6) Not enough time was spent non-northeastern chapters was also afternoon of the last day of the con­ talking about our relationship with an important event. We discussed ference. People were wiped out by other groups, issues of national ways of spurring local initiative so then. Many of the people who could scope, etc. This sort of thing should everything does not fall into the laps have contributed the most had to be talked about more ... if not at the of the Boston-Cambridge folk. It leave by this time because they had conference then more should be was especially invigorating to talk to travel the farthest to get back done in the magazine (or in the with people from the newer chapters home. Next year chapter initiation lOB). This sort ofthing is important about the problems they have had and building should be very early on as an outreach procedure. Without starting and maintaining chapters in the agenda. more outreach we will stagnate. We "isolated" territories. The entertain­ (4) A hand-out should be pre­ need two, three, ... many new chap­ ment at the conference was superb ... pared with a glossary of terms used ters. the skits were both humorous and in implementing the rules of proced- -Tallahassee Delegation political. Good revolutionary cul­ ture to take back to the home folk. We observed (and took part in) an interesting technique of fighting sex­ ism and elitism via the pre;post workshop sessions. The food, the housing, the meeting facility, etc. were terrific ... the CNV A folk did a really great job. Voluntown is a great place to have a conference. Now for a few constructive criti­ cisms: (I) The lack of emphasis on national minorities can only be in­ terpreted as a criminal act. SftP should not be guilty of this sort of thing. Perhaps we should use some of the same tactics we are using to fight sexism and elitism to fight rac­ ism (i.e., an article in each issue of the magazine, direct confrontation within SftP, etc.). (2) Name tags. They are essential if one wants to cater to the new people who will be coming from new chapters. There are just too many new names and faces to keep straight at first. Dammit, this is im­ portant, it's not a bourgeois request. (3) Ordering of events. Priorities were reflected in the ordering of ev-

July-Aug. 1977 37 Inequality and Schools: A Conference

March 19, 1977-Coordinated by the Boston SftP Science Teaching Group

The Boston Chapter Science sifted, we have occasionally sought having only one member in the Bos­ Teaching Group has been working to find ways in which we, as a group ton schools, and the lack of energy since 1971 to expose the social and of radical science teachers, could or time to commit ourselves to long­ political content of science in both respond. Finally, last spring, we range efforts in Boston. Eventually secondary school and college class­ decided to educate ourselves about we expanded our topic and nar­ rooms. Over the years we have: pre­ the issues and considered coordi­ rowed our audience and goals until pared critiques of existing curricular nating a conference around the we had something which seemed materials; developed some of our theme of "Busing and Racism." feasible and useful: we would aim own classroom materials (e.g., After reading a number of articles primarily at teachers and attempt to "Genetic Engineering," Feed, Need, on the busing crisis and an article by tie together through political anal­ Greed); attended local and national Bowles and Gintis, "IQ in the US ysis the many forms of inequality, teachers' conferences- to intervene Class Structure" (Social Policy, putting busing in that broader pers­ in scheduled sessions and to offer Nov.-Dec., 1972) we began to pective. our own workshops; held two of our contact local radical groups (e.g., Then began the nitty-gritty work. own conferences; and provided a Union of Radical Political Econom­ In the fall of 1976, we sent a ques­ speakers' list for local high schools. ists) and community groups and tionnaire out to a large number of During the last several years as other teachers' groups, (e.g., the teachers in the Boston school system the crisis over busing and desegrega­ educational caucus of the Boston (list obtained from the teachers' cau­ tion in the Boston schools has inten- Teachers' Union) to see if they cus), to names of teachers obtained would join our effort. from our previous conference, to a While there was a great deal of variety of community groups and to interest in such a conference, they other contacts. The flyer announced were not ready, at that time, to the conference and included a large expend the time and energy to co­ list of possible workshop topics. We sponsor it. Meanwhile, we decided received responses from a number of to expand the scope of the confer­ teachers indicating their workshop ence to include issues of class and preferences. As much as possible, we sex. We felt it was important to des­ organized workshops on the basis of cribe the connections, similarities their preferences. and differences among the various After choosing a date (Saturday, forms of oppression. March 19) and setting up speakers We floundered for several months for a panel session, we sent out final about the scope, nature and au­ announcements of the conference, dience of the conference. In parti­ now named "Inequality and cular we were unclear if our goals Schools" to our mailing list, about a were to organize for change in the month before the conference day. Boston schools or to raise con­ The speakers covered the following sciousness. Eventually we narrowed topics: "Sexism in Schools and to mainly the latter, feeling organ­ Texts," "An Historical Perspective izing wasn't realistic in view of our on Schools and Social Inequality,"

3R SciencefiJr the People )·

presentations followed by general -repeating workshops at particular discussion. Discussions were lively, schools or group meetings and most people were frustrated that -developing classroom materials the discussions had to end. Mater­ -compiling resource lists of people ials were handed out at most work­ and materials shops. -starting study groups We were all surprised at the num­ ber of people attending, and at the We hope that most of these activi­ degree of interest shown by partici­ ties will be self-generating and we pants. We had been unsure of our plan only to help them get started. ability to coordinate a conference The conference raised many ques­ that reached so far outside the boun­ tions about the relationship between daries of radical science teaching. In our work as teachers of science and ~ddition, the number of teachers our work as radicals who are com­ who had already developed a radical mitted to social change in the broad­ or class analysis was more than we est sense. Should we concentrate on had expected. Clearly, despite the particular issues which are more many months of floundering around familiar to us as scientists? Or in our uncertainty, we had touched should we strengthen our ties with on a a need felt by teachers in the people working for radical change around more traditionally and "Ethnicity, Race and Religion area. Some teachers said that it was "economic" and "political" issues? in Boston." And the scheduled the best conference they had ever Whatever we decide, this conference workshops were: "Sexism in Schools been to. On response sheets handed out was a valuable education, both and Texts," "Teaching Towards during the workshops, most teach­ about issues of inequality and Change in the Workplace," "The ers expressed interest in some sort of education, and about organizing for History of Ethnic Groups in Boston follow-up activity. We are now change.D and the United States," "Bilingual­ considering the following possibil­ Bicultural Education: Is it Really Happening?" "Biology and our ities: Ideas about Inequality," and "Ques­ tions of Culture and Inequality." WRITE FOR SCIENCE FOR THE PEOPLE! Most of the workshop leaders were If you're interested in a certain topic or field and have been thinking not members of Science for the about writing something (or have something already on paper), please send People, but were found through var­ us your idea, outline, or draft. If you have friends immersed in a certain issue ious contacts and personal acquain­ that might interest our readership, encourage them to get in touch with us. Examples of topics we've covered are found in the back issues ad below. tances. The conference was held in a What other topics would you like to see in this magazine? University of Massachusetts build­ ing in central Boston. Our hopes for attracting people A USEFUL RESOURCE were dampened by a late winter Science for the People back issues provide information and analysis on snowstorm beginning the evening a wide range of topics. Send one dollar per copy to SftP, 897 Main St., Cambridge, MA 02139. before the conference, and the dis­ covery that another group had or­ May-June 1977: Brown Lung Blues, Nukes in NYC, Abortion Clinic Strike, Sack Saccharin, more. ganized a conference on "The Crisis in Boston" for the same day. To our M_arch-April 1977: Community Organizing Against Institutional Expansion, B1rth Control and the Eugenists, Human Experimentation, Clamshell surprise, however, we drew about Alliance Declaration, Chemical Industry Exhibit, more. 100 people, mostly teachers, who Jan-Feb 1977: History of the Birth Control Movement. Fighting Sterilization braved the snow and cold to attend Abuse, US Research Abroad, more. the conference. Despite major dis­ Nov.-Dec. 1976: MD's in the Drug Industry's Pocket, Economics and asters, like the very late arrival of the Population Control, Workers Demand Socially Useful Production, more. coffee urn, the conference pro­ Sept.-Oct. 1976: Three views on Alternative Technology, Cancer Research ceeded smoothly arid was considered and Sexism, Nuclear Power Deb-ate, Women's Health Literature, more. a great success by most of the parti­ Back issues before 1976 are available for fifty cents each. Send for our cipants, and by us. The workshops, index. for the most part, consisted of short

July-Aug. 1977 39 LETTERS. continued from p. 6 AGGRESSIVENESS IN with these toys, there will appear to CHILDREN be a difference in aggressiveness. by 2 to I to reject them and to get on Because of these sexist aspects of with nuclear plant construction. The Dear SftP, socialization I would expect to find Clamshell viewpoints were also tried I've been reading your magazine boys in our society more aggressive out on voters in six other states who for a year now and I'm really im­ than girls. But, wanting to make also rejected them. I object, there­ pressed by its consciousness, quality sure that my expectations weren't fore, to your granting so much space and continual improvement. This biasing my observations or inter­ to such a discredited philosopny, kind of magazine is so important yet pretation of real children's play, I one that is clearly not that "of the so rare, that I want to express my did a careful research project on the people." If you take your title seri­ one-hundred-percent support of quality of play of thirty young chil­ ously then you should publish art­ you. dren. icles describing the safety, economic Also l'd like to add some observa­ To my surprise, the variation and environmental benefits of nucle­ tions to Barbara Chasin's excellent within each sex was greater than the ar power plants relative to our coun­ article in the last issue "Sociobiol­ variation between sexes. In fact, try's other energy options. Twenty ogy: A Sexist Synthesis." there was no significant difference percent of this country's voters have Even if it were true that in all U.S. between the sexes in the aggressive­ approved nuclear plants with their nursery schools, boys tended to be ness of play. feet and with their ballots. If this more aggressive in the sense of wild­ My subjects were not typical three vote is disregarded then the title of ness, physical fighting and tumbling to five year olds. They came from the publication should be changed than girls, that wouldn't mean there enlightened homes that explicitly (at to some appropriate elitist desip;na­ are biologically given differences be­ least verbally) rejected the ideology tion so that subscribers would not be tween the sexes in aggressiveness. of sexism and they were in an ex­ misled. If the membership of the The following facts have been tremely non-sexist children's pro­ ~lamshell Alliance were s~riously demonstrated in several studies, gram. But I think my results demon­ concerned about radiation exposure some of which are summarized in strate that good parenting and edu­ they would have demonstrated Juanita William's new book The cating can successfully counteract against the atmospheric nuclear Psychology of Women: other cultural influences that rein­ bomb testing in China and the ac­ -parents tend to be stricter with force aggressiveness in boys. They companying world wide fallout. children of their own sex also suggest that whether or not -both parents tend to hit boys there are biological differences be­ Bernard Rubin more frequently and harder than tween the sexes in potential for ag­ Palo Alto, CA girls gressiveness, the impact of socializa­ -at least in rats, pain can cause ag­ tion is the crucial mediator between gressive behavior. that and behavior. Thus, in our society little boys on average experience more aggression Sincerely, than little girls and they apparently Julie Greenberg MAY ISSUE experience it more often than girls Washington, DC from their male parent role-model. IN THE DRUG INDUSTRY'S Dear SftP, Aside from personal experience of POCKET AGAIN Just a note to say how much I course, they grow up seeing male liked the May-June issue. Living in models display aggressive behavior Dear Friends, the South, it's good to see more constantly on T.V. and in books and I enjoyed reading your article about the brown lung problem and it is usually rewarded. According to "M.D.'s in the Drug Industry's J.P. Stevens. AI Bandura, little girls learn the Pocket" SftP Vol. 6, No. 6). I found Especially appreciated Pat Bren­ same behavior but don't exhibit it as it informative and consistent with my experience. Particularly inter­ nan's "Thoughts" since several of much because it isn't encouraged. them apply to other groups on the esting were the references made to Parents encourage different the industry's role and influence in left as well. Hope to see more writ­ amounts of aggression in subtle medical education and its influence ten about all that. ways. They say they don't like ag­ over medical students. What I gression in boys or girls but they would like to share here is my exper­ In struggle, give the boy a batman cloak and the ience with the drug industry's role in Charles P. Finn girl a tea set to play with. If the chil­ the education of pharmacy students Charlottesville, VA dren engage in appropriate play and in pharmacy practice.

40 Science for the People As a currently enrolled student at vice as the drug arsenal grows. The crazy except me. Still, that is a posi­ the School of Pharmacy of the physicians' knowledge of drugs is at tion not easily sustained without an University of the Pacific, I am con­ a pitifully low level and the advice of occasional reaffirmation from tinually bombarded with industry pharmacists is critical in prescrip­ another source. Your magazine has propaganda. Films, booklets, teach­ tion patterns. Even more significant provided that much needed reaf­ ing aids, and handy little gifts that though is the growing trend toward firmation! were mentioned in the article also the acceptance of substitution on the appear daily in schools of pharmacy. part of the pharmacist. Several I would like very much to become Each either directly advertises the states now require the pharmacist to a subscriber to Science For The products of a particular frim or re­ substitute one drug product for People. Although, I must point out inforces the "brand name syn­ another equivalent product when that I don't have the necessary funds drome" that is ever-present. Phar­ substitution will result in cost sav­ to pay for a subscription. But, luck­ macy students are taught to asso­ ings for the patient. It is expected ily, I see that you have a catagory in ciate a particular brand name with that this trend will continue until all your subscription format for impov­ each generic drug discussed and states have adopted similar legisla­ erished people such as myself. Thus, teaching labs stock only brand-name tion. Once such laws are adopted, I would very much appreciate your products (generic equivalents are the pharmacists' power to substitute considering me for a subscription on conspicuously aQ.sent). This is true could be grossly manipulated by in­ for prescription drugs as well as dustry propaganda unless an effort that basis. those sold over-the-counter (OTC). is made to eliminate industry influ­ Please accept, in advance, my sin­ We are often taught to reinforce ence from pharmacy education and cere appreciation for your generous the industry's advertising campaigns practice. gesture. for OTC drugs and to increase pa­ Sincerely, tient acceptance of products which Larry Chodoff In the struggle, are usually of little or no value. Victor Hubbard What is worse is that we are taught Joliet, IL that, although these products are VIEW FROM INSIDE useless:we as pharmacists should re­ in force what the patient-customer Dear SftP, thinks (s)he knows about them be­ I am an inmate in the Stateville cause (s)he will probably use them SOCIOBIOLOGY SPEAKERS anyway. The industry sponsors Penitentiary at Joliet, Illinois. I rec­ scholarships, awar.ds, and tours of ently had the uncommonly good Science for the People can offer speakers on sociobiology and, in manufacturing facilities in its at­ fortune to read the Nov.-Dec. 1976 issue of your magazine. In all can­ some cases. a showing of the film tempt to bring pharmacy students "Sociobiology, Doing What Comes into the fold. didness, I must admit that it left me Naturally." For speakers, contact These practices continue after all choked-up. In the first place. I either Jon Beckwith, Department of graduation in all phases of phar­ had very nearly given up all hope of Microbiology and Molecular Gene­ macy practice. Like medical jour­ finding a group of people whose pri­ tics. Harvard Medical School. Boston, MA 02115, or Ann Arbor Science for nals, pharmacy journals (widely mary concern still seems to be for the People. 2431 Darrow St., Ann read by most practitioners) are filled "The People". In the contemporary with attractive advertising for brand Arbor, M148104, (313) 971-1165. social chaos where "rip-off' is the name products, and seemingly "factual" articles are often based on new idol for so many individuals data collected by the drug industry. now as well as the usual internation­ USEFUL PUBLICATIONS Detailmen are daily visitors in al cartels, corporate cut-throats, and nearly every pharmacy, where they the government: it is refreshing in­ Periodicals that Progressive distribute the same goodies and deed to find a group whose motto Scientists Should Know About is a listing of the names and addresses of propaganda that were spoken of in could well be: I am my brother's over 250 scientific. technical and the article in connection with doc­ watch mate. political publications of interest to tors. Continuing education pro­ In the second place, I was delight­ progressive scientists everywhere. grams, which are becoming more ed to read views expressed which Covered are fields from energy, popular among pharmacists, are coincide so closely with my own. women's health, and ecology to often sponsored by drug companies. computers, architecture. and Third For even though, in my saner mom­ At these gatherings, the companies World technology. The June 1977 continue the same line that they gave ents, I must acknowledge the fact edition of this listing is now available u's in pharmacy school. that the institutional community in free with self-addressed stamped The significance of these practices which I live is not ye olde average envelope from Tallahassee SftP, c/o is becoming more important all the community. And at those times, can Progressive Technology, P.O. Box 20049, Tallahassee. FL 32304. time. Physicians are relying more on console myself with the thought that the pharmacist for prescribing ad- possibly everyone in this world IS

July-Aug. 1977 41 chaPter rePOrts AMHERST CHAPTER Since last summer, our chapter note speaker for this year was Sam The Amherst group initially met has functioned primarily as a discus­ Lovejoy of the Clamshell Alliance last spring during the Bioethics Con­ sion study group, with little outside ... he spent most of the day behind ference at the University of Massa­ activity. Meetings were held at 2-3 our table. chusetts in Amherst. About seventy week intervals throughout the fall, Energy Group. Our Energy folk people came to the meeting and ex­ using various readings (including have been busily preparing for an pressed interest in the formation of the magazine) as a focus for discus­ upcoming TV program on energy. a chapter. A second meeting about sion. Three weeks ago Pierre Nagel repre­ two weeks later drew about twenty At present, a group of us are sented our chapter at a symposium people. Since the second meeting, working around the Recombinant on Carter's Energy Plan. Of the the chapter has had a core of five or DNA issue. We are preparing to participants, his presentation was six regulars, swelling on occasion to push, in the Amherst Town Meet­ easily the most political. We feel that ten or twelve. ing, for the formation of a citizens' this type of action is good for our At the second meeting, four sub­ Biohazards Committee (similar to image locally. groups were formed: one dealing the one in Cambridge) to propose Cuba Study Group. This group with alternative technology, another regulations of recombinant work in has just started and will be doing re­ with agriculture, a third with occu­ Amherst. We hope to stimulate fur­ search and ground work for an acti­ pational health and safety, and a ther citizen input into science policy vist trip to Cuba. If any other chap­ fourth with health issues. decisions posing potential hazards ters are thinking along these lines The alternative technology group to the community, such as nuclear please do get in touch. The contact met several times thereafter and held waste. person is Hartmut Ramm. a workshop-discussion at the To­ Also in the works is a project in­ Books for Dominica. Still hang­ ward Tomorrow Fair in June. vestigating sources of research fund­ ing in there ... and sending 50 lbs. The occupational safety group ing at the University. per_ week. Hot items for this project and the health group dissipated by The group thus far has been pri­ are books relating to .tropical agri­ summertime. marily student-oriented, with the culture and civil engineering. Please Towards the end of June, the Am­ University and the academic com­ get in touch with us if you have easy herst group, along with the Boston munity as its center of activity. Re­ access to these sorts of things. chapter, participated in the Toward lations with the local community Reading Lists Group. "Science in Tomorrow Fair. According to its have been lacking, but the current Germany Under Hitler" is the most sponsors the fair was to be a show­ Recombinant DNA Project has po­ recent product of this group. Many place of alternative forms of energy tential for establishing ties there. more are being worked on ... do get and "new-age" lifestyles and op­ in touch if you are hot on producing or exchanging reading lists. tions. We set up a literature table TALLAHASSEE CHAPTER and sponsored several workshops. A E. 0. Wilson. He was here to give repeat performance is in the works Though we have been active (and a lecture entitled "Sociobiology and for this coming summer. meeting weekly) for well over two Human Nature." It was sponsored Later in the spring, we learned of years we have never sent a chapter by the Biological Sciences Depart­ a National Science Foundation report to the magazine. We fully ment and it drew well over 1000 summer program in math to be con­ intend to change all of that and as a people. We had a critical article in ducted at Hampshire College. The starter we will tell about a few post­ the school newspaper on the day of program, for "exceptional" high Eastern Regional Conference events the event and we handed out a school students, was perceived by us that have happened alone and leaflet and reading list at the lecture. to function as a tracking program beyond the regular meetings. The leaflet announced that on the for future scientists. A group of us Earthday 77. Earthday is an an­ following night SftP would have a got together and requested to par­ nual event here at Florida State Uni­ meeting to discuss the lecture. It was ticipate in the program as provoca­ versity. A mish-mash of campus and well attended, showing that even teurs, trying to raise the issue of the community groups participate ... E.O. Wilson can be used as a tool political social implications of sci­ it draws several hundred people. We for chapter building. ence as a profession, Our presenta­ participated by setting up a display Toward a Science for the People, tion at the program went well. and a recruitment table. The key- Tallahassee SftP

42 Science for the People SEX ROLES, continued from p. 32 16. F.J. Karsch, D.J. Dierschke, and E. Knobil, "Sexual Differentiation of Pituitary Function: Apparent Difference Between 6. Notable American Women 1607-1950 (Harvard Press, 1971) Primates and Rodents," Science 179, ( 1973), p.484. Vol. II, p. II. 17. Money and Ehrhardt, p. 104. 7. J. Papey, "The Brain of Helen H. Gardener (Alice Chenoweth 18. The Boston Women's Health Book Collective, Our Bodies, Day)," A mer. Jour. Phys. Anthrop. II (I) (1927), pp.29-88. Ourselves, 2nd ed., revised and expanded (Simon and Schuster, 1976), 8. J.S. Haller and R.M. Haller, The Physician and Sexuality in pp. 35-36. Victorian America (Urbana, Ill., 1974) p. 50. 19. M. Parlee, "The Premenstrual Syndrome," in Beyond Sex Role 9. N.J. Block and G. Dworkin, "IQ, Heritability and Inequality," Stereotypes, ed. A. Kaplan and J. Bean, (Little, Brown, 1976), p. 124. in The IQ Controversy, ed. by N.J. Block and G. Dworkin (Pantheon, 20. For a discussion, see: N. Weisstein, "Psychology Constructs the 1976), p. 461. Female" in Woman in Sexist Society, ed. V. Gornick and B. Moran 10. B. Deckard, The Women's Movement (Harper and Row, 1975), (Basic, 1971 ), p. 207. Section "Anatomy is Destiny," p. 15; E. Figes, Patriarchal Attitudes 21. D. Kimura, "The Asymmetry of the Human Brain," Scientific (Fawcett, 1970), Chapt. VI "Learning to be a Woman," p. 133; K. American, March 1973. Millet, Sexual Politics (Avon, 1971) Section "Freud and the Influence 22. "Why There Are Few Female Geniuses."Boston Herald of Psychoanalytic Thought," p. 176. American, February 23, 1977, Front page. II. B. McEwen, "Interaction between Hormones and Nerve Tis­ 23. N.J. Block and G. Dworkin, ed., The JQ Controversy; S. Rose, sue," Scientific American, July 1976. p. 48. The Conscious Brain, updated edition (Vintage, 1976); W. Bodmer 12. E.O. Wilson, Sociobiology: The New Synthesis (Harvard U niv. and L. Cavalli-Sforza, "Intelligence and Race" in Scientific American, Press, 1975), p. 4. October 1970, p. 19. 13. J. Money and A. Ehrhardt, Man and Woman, Boy and Girl 24. M. Rosenzweig, E. Bennett and M. Diamond, "Brain Changes (Johns Hopkins Univ. Press, 1972), p. 2. in Response to Experience" in Scientific American, February 1972. 14. Money and Ehrhardt, p. 245. 25. E. Boserup, Woman's Role in Economic Development (St. 15. Patricia Draper, for references and critique see L. Lamphere, Martin's, 1970), Chapt. 3 "Loss of Status under European Rule," "Anthropology," Signs, Vol. 2, No.3 (Spring 1977), pp. 614-615; A. p.53: R.R. Leavitt "Women in Other Cultures" in Woman in Sexist Rossi, "A Biosocial Perspective on Parenting," Daedalus, Spring Society, p. 393: B. Deckard, op. cit., Chapt. 9 "Women in Capitalist 1977,pp.l-31. and Socialist Societies" p. 199.

SCIENCE FOR THE PEOPLE: the mqazlne SftP is published bimonthly and is intended not only for members, but also for a broad readership within the technical strata and for all others interested in a progressive-radical view on science and technology. The goals of SjtP are to elucidate the role of science and technology in society, to enrich the political consciousness of readers, and to stimulate participation in concrete political activities. The subscriber circulation of SjtP is about 1,500, the total circulation about 4,000. The content of SjtP derives largely from the experiences and interests of people who read the magazine. In seeking to "rely on the people", we urge everyone both to contribute to the magazine themselves and to encourage others to do the same. We are particularly interested in having articles written, discussed, or at least reviewed, collectively, when circumstances permit. 1. Operations: SjtP is published through the activities of the Editorial, Production and Distribution Committees under the direction of the Magazine Coordinating Committee (whose members are drawn from the other committees). All committee members (part-time, unpaid and serving 6-12 months) and the Magazine Coordinator (part-time, paid) are from the Boston area except for some members of the Editorial Committee who are from other cities. All committees are accountable to the general membership by way of 1) the annual Northeast Regional Conference (the most regubr and widely attended conference of SftP) which reviews the magazine and makes general policy, 2) the different chapters of the Northeast Region through the Northeast Regional Coordinating Committee, and 3) local chapters through selection, review and direction of their participants on the Editorial Committee. Nationwide representation on the Editorial Committee by active SftP members is encouraged. 2. Material for Publication: To be in accord with established guidelines, material for publication 1) should deal with issues of science and technology, from a radical perspective, 2) should raise the political awareness and involvement of the general readership, and 3) should stimulate activities of individual persons and groups and the formation of chapters, but should not generally have the character of an "organizing manual." 3. Kinds of Contributions: Articles. Good articles can evolve from our work and from community-based or other, political, investigation and activity. Topics may reflect research, teaching or other interests, and can take the form of book reviews, reports of events, or analytical articles. Writing done for another purpose often can be adapted for SjtP.and is welcome. Procedure: 1) articles written for another purpose and roughly conforming to above guidelines: submit 3 copies along with a letter describing the article's origin, how it might be adapted, and whether the author(s) are willing to do so. 2) new articles: if convenient, send an outline of a proposed article so that the Editorial Committee can point out possible conflict with the guidelines and make suggestions concerning content, resource material, emphasis and magazine context. In this way, some assurance can be given that an article will be used. Writing articles collectively is encouraged. Submit articles in 3 copies. In attempting to give authors constructive criticism and support, the Editorial Committee expends considerable effort in reviewing articles and discussing them with authors. Final substantive editorial changes are cleared with authors. In discussing the magazine's content, in the "About This Issue" column, the Editorial Committee may point out unexplored questions, describe the range of opinion within SftP on a particular issue and draw some additional political interpretations of its own from the articles. Current Opinion. Short, tightly argued positions on timely subjects are required for the Current Opinion feature. These contributions, including an occasional one from the Editorial Committee, should rely on facts and analysis generally accepted by the membership. It is the responsibility of the Editorial Committee to try to select those which best clarify the debate; this will include discussing changes with authors. Contributions should be 500 words or less, in 3 copies. Other Contributions: Letters: contributions for continuing debate, commenting on previous magazine content, initiating new discussion, etc. News Notes: news items illustrating the social and political role of science and technology, especially reporting people's actions on these kinds of issues (300 words or less). Chapter Reports and SftP Activities: brief summaries having essentially assured publication, with editing. Graphics: all kinds, including cartoons, designs, photographs, etc., not necessarily original but with credits.

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