The group is defined in terms of professional standing. The operating company may employ some members of this group, while others may report to organizations such as governments, engineering companies, research laboratories, and universities. Their common goal is to establish and main­tain the scientific and technical information necessary to carry on the nuclear enterprises. In addition, it is their responsibility to carry on their activities within the bounds of high professional and ethical standards. On occasion, these goals come into conflict with some of the goals of the orga­nizations in which these professionals are employed, particularly in matters of judgment on the importance of particular technical facts. In such cases their employer must recognize the requirements of professional conduct under which the scientific/technical group operates.

The scientific/technical group assists the designer/builder and the operat­ing company in defining the equipment and procedures necessary to achieve safe operation. This group also deals directly with the public in explaining the details of nuclear power technology and answering any concerns that they express. In our society, the scientific/technical group has a very high rating of credibility with the public. This trust rests, of course, on their con­tinued adherence to the high professional and ethical standards noted above. One this credibility is lost it can be very difficult to recover. This is one reason that employers must recognize their need to speak openly and honestly in areas of their own professional competence. The scientific/tech — nical group must also recognize their special position as trusted interpreters of technology to the public. In recent years there have been many cases in which members of this group misused this trust by making unsubstantiated claims on one side or the other of the nuclear power controversy. The overall effect has been a reduction in the credibility of this group with the public. In summary, the major roles of the scientific/technical group are (a) to provide reliable technical data for design, operation, and licensing, and (b) to inform the public of the realities of nuclear energy technology.