In the decade from 1955 to 1965 Pauling addressed social and political issues when spreading scientific information. Pauling said that he first started making politically charged comments because of something his wife, Ava Helen, said to him in the mid to late 1940s. She had told him to either take a political stand when discussing the science involved in making an atomic bomb or altogether stop lecturing on peace.

Ava Helen's comments influenced Pauling greatly not only when he spoke about the need for peace, but also when he discussed molecular diseases. Accordingly, during his speeches and in his articles, he tied molecular diseases to genetic counseling, eugenics, mutagenic effects of fallout, and evolution. Although the various topics of this period have been discussed independently, it should be noted that Pauling typically addressed these assorted issues in unison.