The reality is that most progress sits on the recklessness (or even callousness) of those willing to achieve it, and then carries over in the ensuing generation

The reality is that most progress sits on the recklessness (or even callousness) of those willing to achieve it, and then carries over in the ensuing generations and we take all progress for granted as as inherently good. Probably the Chinese or somesuch government will start messing with generations (and not even in secret) and any outcry won't be much effective. Then, later, science will absorb the consolidated knowledge.