• Question: As science moves forward, do we become more at a risk?

    Asked by mrdiamond to Christine, Edd, Jess, Nicolas, Zara on 17 Jun 2011.
    • Photo: Jessica Chu

      Jessica Chu answered on 16 Jun 2011:

      Good question. I am not entirely sure what you mean.. at risk of what exactly?
      But I will try and answer to what I think you might be asking?…I think it depends..
      A research group in America where the scientists said that they already have the technology available to create your own ‘designer’ baby – so you can choose height.. eye colour…sporting ability (like tall/short or blue or brown etc.) because we know which genes are responsible for those things. So in a way it is amazing that we have narrowed down which bit of our DNA (genes) can change that. But is that a good thing? – or will that mean they all want their babies to look like a bunch of models because will want their babies to be good looking?

      Other stuff like embryonic stem cells.. is it ethical to use embryonic stem cells for research? They are taken from embryos.. is that killing a potential life?

      So I do think there are areas of science where we have to becareful but then at the same time there are many advantageous to using embryonic stem cells but does that mean it is right?

    • Photo: Edward Codling

      Edward Codling answered on 16 Jun 2011:

      This is a great question that all scientists should think about.

      Science is basically the search for knowledge and better understanding of the world around us. When you think of it like that then science can surely only be for the good? However, the problem is that some knowledge can be used for purposes that most people would think were ‘bad’ or at least would not be happy about. For example the science of quantum physics has given us nuclear power (can be good or bad), electronic devices like tvs and computers (good?), medical advances like x-rays and lasers (good?) but also terrible weapons like nuclear warheads (very very bad).

      So it is not the science that is bad but the application of it. Many scientists don’t actually apply the science they use once they have discovered something new – that is left to other people. However, I think scientists need to be much more proactive in the discussion about how to use the new technology and developments that may be available in the future. We already have rules about ethics in the research we do but I think there should probably be much greater interaction between people across all of society about the best way to use new scientific developments. We shouldn’t just leave it to individual scientists, technology companies, or governments to decide what to do and how best to use new science.

    • Photo: Zara Gladman

      Zara Gladman answered on 16 Jun 2011:

      Hey Mr Diamond!

      I guess that although advances in science bring new drugs, technologies and knowledge that will benefit society, some of these advances will be controversial..

      Genetically modified (GM) foods, for example, are very controversial. GM foods may have advantages over natural ones, e.g. they might grow better, taste better, or be more resistant to disease. Many people are strongly against GM foods however, because they’re worried about potential risks to human health or the environment, or because they believe that genetically modifying living things is ‘playing God’ and could have dangerous, unknown consequences.

      Another issue that has caused a lot of debate is the use of stem cells from human embryos. Cells are used for research into diseases like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and spinal cord injuries. But using embryonic cells is controversial – people argue that scientists should not be messing with human life..

      Those are just a couple of examples! Bioethics is an interesting and important topic 🙂

    • Photo: Christine Switzer

      Christine Switzer answered on 17 Jun 2011:

      I am going to guess that when you write “more at a risk,” you mean we might cause more harm than we fix. In some ways, science moving forward helps reduce risks, but it might create other risks. Our culture is getting more risk-aware, which helps us think through these things more. Health and safety seems almost cultural at this point. There are benefits and drawbacks to it. We have to find the right balance so we don’t paralyse ourselves over risk/H&S fears. Taking a chance with something could have great payoffs later, so some risks are worthwhile.

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