Pros and cons

The working group public relations organizes the publication of reports on current scientific topics with political significance. Not surprisingly, such topics are controversially discussed. The working group does not take a position here, but finds two authors who express well-founded opposing views. This project is supervised by Dr. Dieter Kunz, Bayreuth, and Prof. Dr. Helmut Ritter, Wuppertal.

So far, 27 such pro and con reports have been published in the Nachrichten aus der Chemie:

Climate-neutral chemical production

Paul Münnich: Climate protection is the central guardrail. Nachr. Chem. 2025, 73(02), 8.
André Thess: Unrealistic ideas about the costs of climate neutrality. Nachr. Chem. 2025, 73(02), 9.

Highly processed foods

Sascha Rohn
"Food processing has contributed to increasing life expectancy." Nachr.Chem. 2024, 72 (9) 16.
"Highly processed foods may increase the risk of diet-related diseases." Nachr.Chem. 2024, 72 (9) 16.

food packaging

Mara Hancker: Correct packaging prevents food waste. Nachr. Chem. 2024,72(4), 22.
Chrissi Holzmann: In the unpackaged store: 84 percent of packaging saved. Nachr. Chem. 2024,72(4), 23.

PFAS

Lorena Herkert: PFAS in rainwater, in the fatty tissue of polar bears. Nachr. Chem. 2023, 71(9), 8.
Thomas Holtmann: For many applications there are no alternatives. Nachr. Chem. 2 023, 71(9), 9.

patent release

Rüger Schlund: Patents are not sent by God. Nachr. Chem. 2022, 70(4), 10.
Thomas Seuß: Other measures appear simpler. Nachr. Chem. 2022, 70(4), 11.

Electromobility: H ₂ fuel cell

Gerhard Kreysa: Hydrogen for the mobility transition. Nachr. Chem. 2021, 69(2), 8.
Ferdinand Dudenhöffer: No breakthrough for fuel cells in Plw. Nachr. Chem. 2021, 69(2), 9.

Crispr-Cas in Plant Breeding

Klaus-Dieter Jany: The procedure must not be viewed in a blanket manner, Nachr. Chem. 2019, 67(12), 8.
Christoph Then: There is a special duty of care. Nachr. Chem. 2019, 67(12), 9.

Industry's requirements for university graduates

Achim Derks: Practice-oriented study programs ensure the supply of skilled workers, Nachr. Chem. 2019, 67, 24.
Horst Hippler: Universities are not vocational schools, Nachr. Chem. 2019, 67, 25.

glyphosate

Thoralf Küchler: The discussion about glyphosate is not objective, Nachr. Chem. 2018, 66, 992.
Johann G. Zaller: Decisions based on the precautionary principle are required, Nachr. Chem. 2018, 66, 993.

electromobility

Martin Winter: The rise of the electric car has begun, Nachr. Chem 2018, 66, 536.
Thomas Koch: The combustion engine is not the evil, Nachr. Chem. 2018, 66, 537.

Preprint Server

Uwe Böhme, Cornelia Rau, Silke Tesch: Preprints in Chemistry, Nachr.Chem. 2018, 66, 427.
Irina Sens: Why preprints are also useful in chemistry Nachr.Chem. 2018, 66, 429.
Peter Gölitz: Why chemists don’t need preprints Nachr.Chem. 2018, 66, 430.
Wolfram Koch: How does the GDCh participate in the preprint server ChemRXiv Nachr.Chem. 2018, 66, 431?

sweeteners

Anja Krumbe: Efficient sweeteners, Nachr.Chem. 2017, 65, 890.
Susanne Ziesenitz: Naturally sweeten with sugar, Nachr.Chem. 2017, 65, 891.

energy transition

Barbara Praetorius: The energy transition is an engine of innovation, Nachr. Chem. 2017, 65, 570.
Joachim Weimann: National climate policy can only fail, Nachr. Chem. 2017, 65, 57 1.

doctorate in chemistry

Nachr. Chem. 2016, 64, 649
Peter Klüfers: A doctorate is worthwhile.
Thorsten Daubenfeld: Just one of many possibilities.

omega-3 fatty acids

Nachr. Chem. 2016, 64, 154
Gerhard Jahreis: Omega-3 fatty acids are vital nutrients.
Gerhard Spiteller: The positive effects of omega-3 fatty acids are faked.

Experiments with Bromine

Nachr. Chem. 2015, 63, 892
Thomas Seilnacht: "Experiments with bromine in schools are too expensive."
Eric Täuscher, Dieter Weiß: "Brom - but of course."

grace period

Nachr. Chem. 2015, 63, 636
Thomas Seuß: "A grace period protects the inventors."
Marcel Kouskoutis: "The disadvantages outweigh the advantages."

transmutation

Message Chem. 2015 , 63, 126-127
Alex C. Müller: "For the principle of sustainability in the nuclear fuel cycle"
Horst Geckeis: "Transmutation cannot replace final storage facilities."

fracking

Nachr. Chem. 2015, 63, 26
Mohammed Amro: "Germany should not waste any time when it comes to fracking."
Karsten Runge: "Fracking in densely populated Germany would be fatal."

Open Access

Nachr. Chem. 2014 , 62, 748
Guido Herrmann: "Open Access does not solve the cost problem."
Peter Seeberger: "Open access is only a first step."

climate killer CO ₂

Nachr. Chem. 2013 , 61, 132
Heinz Hug: "The climate models are failing."
Ehrhard Raschke: "No, they don't."

CHE ranking

Nachr. Chem. 2013 , 61, 24
Frank Ziegler: "Prospective students need orientation."
Henning Hopf: "This does more harm than good to chemistry."

experimental lecture

Nachr. Chem. 2012 , 60, 1092
Reinhard W. Hoffmann, Paultheo von Zezschwitz: "We need the experimental lecture."
Michael Göbel: "More suitable for minor subjects."

Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage (CSS)

Message Chem., 2012, 60, 1000
Lutz Wicke: "The CCS boycott makes Germany a climate sinner."
Werner Neumann: "CCS is not a bridge but a crutch technique."

Green genetic engineering

Message Chem. 2012, 60, 650 - 651
Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard: "Green genetic engineering is being fought politically with unreasonableness."
Angelika Hilbeck: "Green genetic engineering relies on industrial agriculture."

biofuels

Message Chem. 2012, 60, 22 - 2 3
Gundolf Kohlmeier: "With entrepreneurial spirit into the age of renewable energies."
Vollrath Hopp: "It is not justifiable to produce biofuels."

nuclear energy

Message Chem. 2011, 59, 954 - 955
Joachim Nitsch: "Nuclear power plants are not an option for climate protection."
Heribert Offermanns: "Nuclear technology can also be a technology of the future."