THE CHEMIST AS CREATOR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12856, 3 May 1905, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE CHEMIST AS CREATOR.

In - the Tall Mail Magazine appears an interview with M. Rerthelot. the famous chemist, by Mr. F. Lees, from which the following is a passage: —

"Since we- can create organic substances, may we not foresee a time at which our food will be manufactured by synthesis?" repeated the chemist, in a voice which betrayed no sign of his age. Certainly, indeed, the problem may be said to have been already solved in principle. Has not the synthesis of fats and oils been an accomplished fact these 40 years or more'.' And in not that of sugars and carbo-hydrates generally being realised at the present day? Having got so far, the synthesis of nitrogenised ttodies is but a step further, and believe me, the time may not be far distant, when chemistry will effect the economical manufacture of foods. You have hit upon a question to which I have devoted a good deal ol time and thought, so I do not. hesitate to declare that the alimentary problem is essentially a chemical one, and that when energy can he obtained economically it. will not be long in being solved. Foods will then be mannufaetured with carbon obtained from carbonic acid, with hydrogen extracted from water, and with oxygen and nitrogen taken front the air. Corn-growing and cattle-raising will then suft'e. the same tate as the cultivation of madder has done in out day. and the world will be independent of those bad seasons which put the farmers in despair. The world will then— Bit I think you are smiling. Do.you considei my anticipations arc too Utopian?" "Not at all, M. Berthclot. I was smiling, not at your picture of the golden age, but at a passing thought which it suggested. I war thinking how effectually that much-disputed question of free trade or protection, which is -till the bone of contention in English politics, would be settled by the realisation of your prophecies. But what do you think will be' the source of the economical energy of which you speak?" " Per hap." the central heat of tht- globe, obtained by means of shafts from two to three miles in depth: perhaps solar energy. Qui sait? Yes: the question you mention would indeed be solved bj this economic revolution, and many others besides. But perhaps before the days of the chemical manufacture of foods that other problem, aerial navigation, will be solved, in which ca.so Customs barriers all over the world will be throwr down." After pausing for a moment in thought, M. Berthelot continued: "1 know that some people, basing their opinion merely on the experience of the past, will say that these are the wild dreams of a scientist. But it seems to me that they forge* the progress—unprecedented in history—.which science has made in our day: they overlook the fact that the marvellous results which it has attained during the lasr centur;, and especially within recent years, warrant us in making these predictions. Such dreams are founded on I undeniable pcientifi evidence, and I have faith, therefore, in their realisation."