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> “is your research going to be patented?” well, those are good questions. As frustrating as it is, scientists should be well aware that science doesn't happen
by kome 9y ago
> “is your research going to be patented?”
well, those are good questions. As frustrating as it is, scientists should be well aware that science doesn't happen in a political, juridical or economical vacuum.
This social sensibility should be part of the soft skills of the modern scientist. Same goes for engineers (let’s think about the Facebook crisis), or any profession, really.
Ideas have consequences.
Edit: Also that's is quite infuriating: "How am I supposed to explain the consequences of abandoning a technology that can help feed millions to Swiss students who enjoy the world's highest standard of living?" - if you think that the problem of malnutrition is mainly a technological/agrological problem, that's very disingenuous.
- crispinb 9y ago> if you think that the problem of malnutrition is mainly a technological/agrological problem, that's very disingenuous This is true right now. But a sane world has to plan ahead. Our existing agricultural system can easily feed the world today without GMOs. But if the world population really does grow as anticipated this century (I have my doubts), with a fast-changing climate, high levels of topsoil loss & degradation, there is zero chance without every technological trick we can muster.
- _devang 9y agoMy point regarding patents was that these questions do not get asked (or not with such ferocity) of my colleagues in biomedicine. Most people seem ok with medical researchers having patents but not plant/agricultural research. I do not think malnutrition is a technological problem, but it does have a technological solution, or rather, technology is a part of the solution.