AAAS is hosting a day-long seminar in DC on Tuesday, December 18. It's being held in the AAAS auditorium, which I recall from CFP99 as being rather small for an event of this kind. This seminar will probably fill up fast, so sign up now if you will attend. An overflow room will provide a video simulcast.

"In the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, the already complex balance between national security and scientific freedom and human rights has become even more complicated. At the same time, scientists and engineers have begun to reassess their professional and social responsibilities in light of the changed situation.

Research priorities are certain to be affected by the focus on fighting terrorism. The priority of military R&D will increase, as will R&D on bio-terrorism, blast protection, information security, and other relevant fields. The Bush Administration and Congress are also considering significant new national security measures aimed at protecting U.S. citizens and vital national interests. While many of these measures are surely necessary, it is essential that the scientific community be engaged in evaluating them and their impacts on the environment for research, as well as carefully considering their own professional and personal roles in this very dynamic and highly charged political environment. This ... symposium ... will examine issues of scientists' responsibilities, as well as scientific freedom and human rights in post-September 11 America."

The War on Terrorism: What Does it Mean for Science?