Science Limitations
Villegas, Jonathan
English 1A
November 15, 2013
Placing Limitations on Science Science is a great way to learn and understand how our universe works. Once we learn science, we’re opened many new doors and can even learn how to manipulate our very own universe. Throughout the course of human events, science has helped mankind overcome a wide range of issues. However, science is a double-edged sword and has also brought many new issues. It is important to place limitations on science and research in order to prevent or abate anything that can go wrong during the pursuit of knowledge. The pursuit of knowledge can often blind one of potential problems that can arise during or after an experiment. “I collected the instruments of life around me, that I might infuse a spark of being into the lifeless thing that lay at my feet.” (Shelly 285) In Frankenstein, we can see that Victor becomes very elated to what he might infuse to his creation. However, he does not consider what might potentially go horribly wrong during this process. He doesn’t think anything can fail because the power to create something has shrouded his judgment. It is for this very same reason why we have many energy and environment crises in our world today. Many scientists wish to help a company, themselves, or humanity and are engulfed by the end result that they become ignorant to any possible unwanted byproducts or results. Jeremy Rifkin also elaborates on the ignorance caused by the pursuit of knowledge in Biotech Century. “Fears over the possibility of transgenic genes jumping to wild weedy relatives heightened in 1996 when a Danish research team … observed the transfer of such a gene – something critics of deliberate-release experiments have warned of for years and biotech companies have dismissed as a remote or nonexistent possibility.” (Rifkin 315) Rifkin explains that the transfer of genes from altered crops to weedy relatives could create super weeds that are resilient to herbicide,
English 1A
November 15, 2013
Placing Limitations on Science Science is a great way to learn and understand how our universe works. Once we learn science, we’re opened many new doors and can even learn how to manipulate our very own universe. Throughout the course of human events, science has helped mankind overcome a wide range of issues. However, science is a double-edged sword and has also brought many new issues. It is important to place limitations on science and research in order to prevent or abate anything that can go wrong during the pursuit of knowledge. The pursuit of knowledge can often blind one of potential problems that can arise during or after an experiment. “I collected the instruments of life around me, that I might infuse a spark of being into the lifeless thing that lay at my feet.” (Shelly 285) In Frankenstein, we can see that Victor becomes very elated to what he might infuse to his creation. However, he does not consider what might potentially go horribly wrong during this process. He doesn’t think anything can fail because the power to create something has shrouded his judgment. It is for this very same reason why we have many energy and environment crises in our world today. Many scientists wish to help a company, themselves, or humanity and are engulfed by the end result that they become ignorant to any possible unwanted byproducts or results. Jeremy Rifkin also elaborates on the ignorance caused by the pursuit of knowledge in Biotech Century. “Fears over the possibility of transgenic genes jumping to wild weedy relatives heightened in 1996 when a Danish research team … observed the transfer of such a gene – something critics of deliberate-release experiments have warned of for years and biotech companies have dismissed as a remote or nonexistent possibility.” (Rifkin 315) Rifkin explains that the transfer of genes from altered crops to weedy relatives could create super weeds that are resilient to herbicide,