The whole world of science is celebrating the return of Andrei Sakharov to his home and workplace in Moscow. This happy event not only signifies a change for the better in the political climate in the Soviet Union, it also shows that the continued public protests on his behalf were not futile.

The world scientific community stood firmly by one of its most distinguished members through along, deeply troubled period. This support could not protect him entirely from unjust and brutal treatment, but without it his name—perhaps his life—would have been obliterated and forgotten. This experiment in international scientific solidarity succeeded after all, and should now be considered established practice in all such cases.

What will Sakharov do now? He says he will take up again the physics research he was forced to abandon seven years ago. Even in his sixties, a scientist of Sakharov's quality may still have something...

Interested in reading more?

Become a Member of

Receive full access to digital editions of The Scientist, as well as TS Digest, feature stories, more than 35 years of archives, and much more!