Issue 69

even207UID: 2998418

69"Government should place few, if any, restrictions on scientific research and development"

2011/1/28

I disapprove of the speaker’s assertion that government should abandon its efforts on restricting scientific research and development. As for necessity, both government and scientist share some responsibility towards the society which demands the supervision and restriction. As for possibility, government is the centralization of the state power, so it is not impossible for governors to influence the scientific tendency, which could also be regarded as a method of restriction.

When referring to science, there is always a picture of a worthy old scientist smiling at his achievement with the gleam of the fading day enriching his splendid color. Or we may form an image filled with busy young scientists processing sophisticated experiments in a modern laboratory. It’s true that we usually separate science from our earthly world and consider the word as one with glowing golden lines, shining far beyond our reach. However, science is not all about carrying out experiments and doing researches, it is also under the burden of social construction. In fact, science is always associated with economics and politics. On one hand, the fund of scientific research and experiment relates to the prosperity of economics and the how much the government support. On the other hand, oftener than not, specific needs for economical and political reasons urge the development of science. For example, in order to fulfill the requirements of World War One, scientists begin to revise the technology of weapons, such as planes and tanks. The experience of applying to planes in warfare does contribute a lot to the afterwards improvement on aviation. Therefore, the appliance for science can both bring disasters to human society and benefit human development the other way around. In that case, science obtains a magnificent power which should be supervised and limited by another clout, government.

Government, in Abraham Lincoln’s words, of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. Compared with scientists or artists, government plays a most different role of representing, protecting and benefiting the people who elect them. For that matter, government is responsible to manage the state, including the development of science. However, government should pay close concentration so that restriction won’t go to the extreme way of despotism and suppressing innovation. The initial will of restriction is to prevent evil spirit from doing harm to human being and the whole universe.

In conclusion, government should set certain restrictions upon researches related to new science, not to abuse its power but out of the concentration and responsibility towards its people.