Three Modes of Protest Action

Protest resolutions dealing with science-related social issues provide models for different activities by scientists: (1) California and the battle over creationism in textbooks-resolutions were composed by representatives or elected committees of a scientific organization and released under the name of that organization; (2) birth control and the publication of humanae vitae by pope Paul VI-resolutions were signed by scientists as individuals and released with no organizational name appended; and (3) Connecticut and anti-abortionists-resoultions were signed by scientists as individuals but released with the name of the professional organization that they represented. The advantages, drawbacks, and effects of the different methods of action taken by scientists are assessed. The legitimacy of protest by scientists on social issues is also discussed.