Pros and cons
The SEC working group "Publication" organises the publication of reports on current scientific topics of political significance. Unsurprisingly, such topics are discussed controversially. The working group does not take a position; instead, it finds two authors to present well-founded opposing views. This project is overseen by Dr Dieter Kunz, Bayreuth, and Prof. Dr Helmut Ritter, Wuppertal.
In this project, we work closely with the Editorial staff of Nachrichten aus der Chemie . Its editor-in-chief provides a clear summary of the suitability of and selection criteria for Pro & Contra topics, see Remenyi slides. To date, 28 such pro and contra reports have been published in Nachrichten aus der Chemie:
Ulf-Peter Apfel: Basic research and application – two sides of the same coin. Nachr. Chem. 2025, 73(11), 16.
Paul P. Momtaz: Academic freedom concerns society as a whole. Nachr. Chem. 2025, 73(11), 17.
Paul Münnich: Climate protection is the key guiding principle. Nachr. Chem. 2025, 73(02), 8.
André Thess: Unrealistic ideas about the costs of climate neutrality. Nachr. Chem. 2025, 73(02), 9.
Sascha Rohn
"Food processing has helped increase life expectancy." Nachr.Chem. 2024, 72 (9) 16.
"Highly processed foods can increase the risk of diet-related diseases." Nachr.Chem. 2024, 72 (9) 16.
Mara Hancker: The right packaging prevents food waste. Nachr. Chem. 2024 ,72(4), 22.
Chrissi Holzmann: At the packaging-free shop: 84 per cent less packaging used. Nachr. Chem. 2024 ,72(4), 23.
Lorena Herkert: PFAS in rainwater and in the fatty tissue of polar bears. Nachr. Chem. 2023, 71(9), 8.
Thomas Holtmann: There are no alternatives for many applications. Nachr. Chem. 2023, 71(9), 9.
Rüger Schlund: Patents are not sent by God. Nachr. Chem. 2022, 70(4), 10.
Thomas Seuß: Other measures seem simpler. Nachr. Chem. 2022, 70(4), 11.
Gerhard Kreysa: Hydrogen for the mobility transition. Nachr. Chem. 2021, 69(2), 8.
Ferdinand Dudenhöffer: Fuel cells will not achieve a breakthrough in passenger cars. Nachr. Chem. 2021, 69(2), 9.
Klaus-Dieter Jany: The method should not be judged categorically, Nachr. Chem. 2019, 67(12), 8.
Christoph Then: It entails a particular duty of care. Nachr. Chem. 2019, 67(12), 9.
Achim Derks: Practice-oriented degree programmes ensure a supply of skilled professionals, Nachr. Chem. 2019, 67, 24.
Horst Hippler: Universities are not vocational schools, Nachr. Chem. 2019, 67, 25.
Thoralf Küchler: The debate about glyphosate is not objective, Nachr. Chem. 2018, 66, 992.
Johann G. Zaller: Decisions based on the precautionary principle are needed, Nachr. Chem. 2018, 66, 993.
Martin Winter: The rise of the electric car has begun, Nachr. Chem 2018, 66, 536.
Thomas Koch: The combustion engine is not the problem, Nachr. Chem. 2018, 66, 537.
Uwe Böhme, Cornelia Rau, Silke Tesch: Preprints in chemistry, Nachr.Chem. 2018, 66, 427.
Irina Sens: Why preprints are useful in chemistry too Nachr.Chem. 2018, 66, 429.
Peter Gölitz: Why chemists do not need preprints Nachr.Chem. 2018, 66, 430.
Wolfram Koch: How is the GDCh involved in the ChemRXiv preprint server? Nachr.Chem. 2018, 66, 431?
Anja Krumbe: Efficient sweeteners, Nachr.Chem. 2017, 65, 890.
Susanne Ziesenitz: Sweeten naturally with sugar, Nachr.Chem. 2017, 65, 891.
Barbara Praetorius: The energy transition is a driver of innovation, Nachr. Chem. 2017, 65, 570.
Joachim Weimann: National climate policy can only fail, Nachr. Chem. 2017, 65, 571.
Nachr. Chem. 2016, 64, 649
Peter Klüfers: A doctorate is worthwhile.
Thorsten Daubenfeld: Just one of many options.
Nachr. Chem. 2016, 64, 154
Gerhard Jahreis: Omega-3 fatty acids are essential nutrients.
Gerhard Spiteller: The positive effects of omega-3 fatty acids are an illusion.
Nachr. Chem. 2015, 63, 892
Thomas Seilnacht: "Experiments with bromine at schools are too costly."
Eric Täuscher, Dieter Weiß: "Bromine – absolutely."
Nachr. Chem. 2015, 63, 636
Thomas Seuß: "A grace period for novelty protects inventors."
Marcel Kouskoutis: "The disadvantages outweigh the benefits."
Nachr. Chem. 2015, 63, 126-127
Alex C. Müller: "For the principle of sustainability in the nuclear fuel cycle"
Horst Geckeis: "Transmutation cannot replace a final repository."
Nachr. Chem. 2015, 63, 26
Mohammed Amro: "Germany should not waste time on fracking."
Karsten Runge: "Fracking in densely populated Germany would be fatal."
Nachr. Chem. 2014, 62, 748
Guido Herrmann: "Open access does not solve the cost problem."
Peter Seeberger: "Open access is only a first step."
Nachr. Chem. 2013, 61, 132
Heinz Hug: "Climate models fail."
Ehrhard Raschke: "No, they don't."
Nachr. Chem. 2013, 61, 24
Frank Ziegler: "Prospective students need guidance."
Henning Hopf: "It does more harm than good to chemistry."
Nachr. Chem. 2012, 60, 1092
Reinhard W. Hoffmann, Paultheo von Zezschwitz: "We need lecture demonstrations."
Michael Göbel: "Better suited to subsidiary subjects."
Nachr. Chem., 2012, 60, 1000
Lutz Wicke: "The CCS boycott makes Germany a climate offender."
Werner Neumann: "CCS is not a bridging technology but a crutch."
Nachr. Chem. 2012, 60, 650 - 651
Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard: "Green genetic engineering is being politically opposed on irrational grounds."
Angelika Hilbeck: "Green genetic engineering promotes industrial agriculture."
Nachr. Chem. 2012, 60, 22 - 23
Gundolf Kohlmeier: "Enter the age of renewable energy with an entrepreneurial spirit."
Vollrath Hopp: "Producing biofuels is indefensible."
Nachr. Chem. 2011, 59, 954 - 955
Joachim Nitsch: "Nuclear power plants are not an option for climate protection."
Heribert Offermanns: "Nuclear technology, too, can be a technology of the future."