The author claims that government should place restrictions as few as possible on scientific research and development. I strongly agree with the author. And the research and development need the help of the government in some respects.
One reason for my fundamental agreement with the speaker is that some scientific research and development are conflicting with the ethical system or do harm to the whole society. For instance, with the development of cloning technologies, some scientists propose the idea of human cloning. Undoubtedly, it will arouse the social disorder and violate the moral and ethics. Thus, the government should give some restrictions to the better development of society. A remarkable example is Nuclear weapon, which is harmful to the whole society and might give rise to the third world war. Consequently, the government has an obligation to restrict the research on the nuclear weapon.
Another reason why I essentially agree with the speaker is that scientific research and development are something creative and innovative that most government cannot understand and evaluate properly with the contemporary thought. Many restrictions from the government may impede the scientific progress. There are many cases to prove my opinion. Wright brothers’ experiments on the aircraft were derided that it was impossible. If the government restricted at that time, the invention of aircraft may be delayed many years. Similarly, when Nobel’s experiment on dynamite failed at first and leaded several persons died, if the government gave the restriction, it might impede the invention of dynamite.
Moreover, the government should place supports on scientific research and development. Without the supports of governments, the development of science is just an empty talk. Consider that without any resources, cooperation and money, could science researches develop and achieve the success? Sometime, many research such as Human Genome Project, need international cooperation. Under the leadership of the government of different countries, it will be completed effectively.
Therefore, consequence that the government gives no supports to science is equal to the result that the government restricts scientific developments.
In sum, the government plays a vital role on the scientific research and development. It is necessary to give adequate supports and few restrictions for the better progress of science.