[i习作temp] ISSUE 69 Government restriction on scientific research? [复制链接]

sunnypark
UID: 3060426

新手上路

Rank: 1

声望: 0
寄托币: 28
注册时间: 2011-4-21
精华: 0
帖子: 0

发表于 2011-6-20 15:28:23 |显示全部楼层

求被拍
TOPIC: ISSUE69 - "Government shouldplace few, if any, restrictions on scientific research and development"
WORDS: 555
TIME: 00:43:34
DATE: 2011/6/20 15:18:50

Government, as representation of collectedcitizenship, should render careful consideration upon whether to support orprohibit certain kinds of scientific research and development. Governmentshould play the role to advocate a as wide a range of discussion of issuesof
whether to place restrictions onscientific research as possible so that a possibly informed decision aboutcertain scientific development can be made informed and with just.

In any time, government alone is toountrustworthy to judge what scientific research is good for its own citizens. Agreat many of technological advancements we moderns should be thankful for donot come as result of government encouragement but come in form of spontaneousinterests derived from scientific researches in combination of the recognizanceof the need of the certain time. The steaming machines, the telegraphing technology,the airplane, the personal computer, and the modern fast developing internetand wireless technology do not come as results of the government planning orinterventions. The amazing inventions and innovations are more of a free marketfunctioning combined with intellectuals' creativity rather than government ruling.Looking back at the past several decades's prosperity in technology andscientific research accomplishment achieved, I am convinced that a generallyfree spontaneous regulation environment could be a warm bed for creativity,convenience, scientific advancement and even economic development. And for thedecades incoming, I hold the belief that a regulation free on scientificresearches would lead to a more vigorous society we all want to see.

However, the issue can be never this simpleas it seems. Just like the market alone cannot solve every problem occurred inthe market place, the spontaneous interests of the scientists with combinationof market function cannot guarantee a common good for the public. Thescientists, investors, and businessmen are not authorized to decide whether acountry should develop nuclear power or delve into embryonic research. Thepossible negative externaties of nuclear plant bombing that could put hundredsand thousands of people's life at great stake and random cessation of humanlife of embryonic experiments failures goes far beyond the jurisdiction ofpersonal or small group's scientific interests or profit-making. When certainscientific research will place potential negativity upon the mass, it is timefor government to address such problems. And for great many times, governmentwould end up putting on restrictions on scientific research or even ceasing itsfurther development.

But one should be cautious about suchsanctioning is that it should never be the government alone who decides renyidewhich scientific research to restrict and which to not. When issues concerningthe negative externalities are raised or moral questioning are brought up, itis high time for government to bring all the possible stakeholder together todebate and convene on such issues so that a comparatively thorough and comprehensiveanalysis can be made to guarantee the optimal good for the public.

Therefore, it can never be easy to saywhether government should place a lot of a few, if any, restrictions onscientific research. In my view, a qualified administration should play apositive role in engaging all possible of stakeholder to expand a vigorousdiscussion and finally makes the best possible decision to strike the balancebetween all the stakes and potential benefits and more importantly to alwaysput precedence for the good of the public.