Unfortunately, in fundamental research, it is often hard to predict the applications a given research can have. If we take the example of nuclear research, it is obvious that it lead to the creation of a weapon that is really devastating, and in particular that is mainly aimed at civilians. However, it also has a lot of applications in medical science, for example in medical imagery and cancer therapy. I do not think that the scientists who started exploring the structure of the atom nucleus foresaw any of these consequences. Perhaps they were aware, after some time, of the fact that they had discovered a new source of energy. Almost any kind of energy can be both creative and devastating...
Another point about fundamental research is that it usually takes a long time, often several decades if not several hundred years, for applications to appear. So the scientists involved in it are not only often unable to foresee, but also often unable to control the consequences of their research. That is what can make it dangerous.
However, all the things I have mentioned do not, in my opinion, free the researchers of their responsibility. I think a researcher should keep from exploring a given area if s/he fears it will have dangerous applications. Years ago I decided I would not study biology, in spite of my love for the subject, because I was not interested in biopharmaceutical and biomedical research and most of the other research done in biology nowadays has ethical consequences I do not feel comfortable with. Ethical problems is also one of the (many) reasons why I'm giving up my engineering studies. I believe everybody (perhaps make an exception for insane people and kids) should be held responsible for the consequences of their actions. Researchers have a huge influence on today's world. That gives them a huge responsibility.
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Date: 2008-09-11 10:42 am (UTC)Another point about fundamental research is that it usually takes a long time, often several decades if not several hundred years, for applications to appear. So the scientists involved in it are not only often unable to foresee, but also often unable to control the consequences of their research. That is what can make it dangerous.
However, all the things I have mentioned do not, in my opinion, free the researchers of their responsibility. I think a researcher should keep from exploring a given area if s/he fears it will have dangerous applications. Years ago I decided I would not study biology, in spite of my love for the subject, because I was not interested in biopharmaceutical and biomedical research and most of the other research done in biology nowadays has ethical consequences I do not feel comfortable with. Ethical problems is also one of the (many) reasons why I'm giving up my engineering studies. I believe everybody (perhaps make an exception for insane people and kids) should be held responsible for the consequences of their actions. Researchers have a huge influence on today's world. That gives them a huge responsibility.