Download Responsibility of Scientists

The responsibility of Scientists to Society
For many, science has brought happiness and opened doors that one could
only dream of. For so much of what we use in our everyday lives can be linked to
some scientific knowledge in at least one way. From a bridge being built over the
Thames to having a blood test at your local hospital. It would seem as if scientists,
with their unique insight into the workings of the universe, could seem so powerful to
the “lay” man. Especially if a scientist were to use his/her knowledge in a “bad” way.
For instance, the use of mustard gas and other chemical agents in war. Many
horrible types of chemical agents have solely been created for the destruction of
human life and life itself. In early wars where these were used I am sure that a person
who could create such a destructive weapon with disgusting side effects (e.g coughing
the lungs up) was respected and feared. Indeed many scientists seem to be powerful.
Indeed with the emergence of the Second World War; physicists can be pawns in a
power struggle. With America and Germany both with groups of physicists
determined to make the first nuclear bomb, these physicists did indeed have a certain
power. Once the atom bomb has been made those physicists who have the knowledge
to make such a device are great assets to a country that you wouldn’t want going to
your enemies. This has occurred in recent times with Pakistan acquiring great
knowledge from rogue physicists. This lead to their creation of their nuclear arsenal.
It would seem that certain physicists have the knowledge and power to wipe out
societies. But do they? Yes there is knowledge to design such a weapon, but with it
you need engineers, workers etc.
Undoubtedly the physicist has a key role. But if an atomic bomb is made, the
physicist has made it, not destroyed a society. That can ultimately fall down the
decision of a prime minister or such.
But this is at one extreme. Not every day to day scientist is making nuclear
weapons. Many are in research or development. Often in research toxic substances are
used. These can be cancer causing agents, radioactive substances and even products
that we do not know if they are harmful yet. One would not want such chemicals
getting into the environment and as such scientists do have a role for the health of
society. But the use of such chemicals comes under the strictest guidelines and often
the risk is minimal. Such scientists can outline the dangers involved and appropriate
steps can be taken. These can include risks assessments, extracting systems etc, which
is done by other bodies of people and not normally the scientist himself/herself.
But what about the research these scientists are carrying out. Some of these
scientists are exploring the furthest reaches of the human races’ knowledge. Some
geneticists can make a rat with a human ear grown onto it. Is this really how our
society wants to be betrayed? Do we want pigs that glow in the dark? Do want we
want our shamans (knowledgeable person) using their knowledge like this? No. It can
seem that science can change the world in an instant: the world being round, the
computer, the internet etc. Again it would seem that scientists do have a responsibility
to society as with the knowledge and the use of this knowledge can alter society quite
dramatically. It all depends whether the application of this knowledge is to the benefit
of the people. A bio-chemist could may one day find the cure for AIDS or create a
deadly virus. In this respect he has a great responsibility to society. That is why there
are certain rules in the world that prohibit him/her from making a deadly virus or
physicists making nuclear weapons, but it still happens. A scientist has a choice like
everyone. To do the “good” or “the” bad thing. In all walks of life there are “good”
and “bad” people. Everyone has a role in society. Scientists do have a role in society,
whether it is to alter for the “good” or the “bad”. But then so does everyone. Everyone
has a responsibility to make society better and not worse, by even the smallest things
such as manners to the largest things such as devoting your life to the poor.
Science is a vast world of knowledge, and scientists are merely explorers
slowly reaching the vast depths of this immense world. There will always be scientists
and new knowledge will be discovered as well with new technologies. These can
come from the curiosity of the mind or vast money making companies. Yes scientists
do have a responsibly to society as many ideas can shape the fabric of society itself.
But I think these ground breaking discoveries are the responsibility of society to do
what is right. Such weapons of mass destruction cannot be made if there aren’t the
facilities or other such knowledgeable people. The engineer who designs the internal
structure of a nuclear bomb is just as responsible as the scientist or prime minister. So
is the society. In many ways it would seem that society has a greater responsibility for
the science that comes from scientists than scientists have for society. If society looks
after the science and knowledge then no harm can come of this. This is true in many
walks of life. Everyone has a responsibility to society but so does society have a
responsibility to us.
By Aiden Dunne
Tutor: Jan Franz