The Research Revolution

1
The Research Revolution

• A Series of Public DiscussionsatBowling Green
  State UniversityJerome Library
• Moderated by
• Scholar, Dr. Robert Midden
• Librarian, Robin Sinn

2
150 Years of Change

• For 150 years new developments in science and
  technology have resulted in dramatic changes in
  the way we live
• Changes that sometimes caused doubts, fears,
  concerns, and questions
• After 150 years some things havent changed

3
100 years ago humans couldnt fly
Wilbur Wright in 1901
http//www.kitty-hawk.com/graphics/wright/1b5.jpg
4
In 2001 humans can fly to the planets and beyond

• Launch of the Cassini spacecraft on a billion
  mile trip to Saturn and its moons

http//www.jpl.nasa.gov/cassini/Movies/movies2.htm
l
http//photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/
5
Life Expectancy in the United States

• Increased from 47.3 in 1900 to 76.7 in 1998

Centers for Disease Control http//www.cdc.gov/
nchs/fastats/pdf/48_18t12.pdf
http//www.jhalpin.com/metuchen/metphoto.htm
6
100 Years ago people died of infections from a
simple scratch
http//www.cdc.gov/epo/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm482
9a1.htm
7
In 1901 heart disease usually meant early death

• In 2001 heart disease can not only be controlled
  but cured

The Abiocor Implantable Replacement Heart
http//www.abiomed.com/prodtech/Fabiocor.html
8
In 1901 the genetic basis of many diseases was
not even recognized

• In 2001 we are on the verge of having profound
  powers to cure disease and to manipulate the
  genetic characteristics of all living organisms

Alexis Rockman "The Farm," 2000 Oil and acrylic
on a wood panel Rockman's landscape of an
American farm circa 2000 shows a chronological
history of agriculture as it has been transformed
by humans
http//europe.cnn.com/interactive/style/0009/genet
ic.art/content.html
9
And now it is possible select the gender of our
offspring
Two cryogenic sperm banks, one pink and one blue,
contain sex-selected sperm samples from people
the artist chose. These are sorted by the gender
they would produce. Framed legal contracts
hanging near the banks pose questions about DNA
and scientific experiments
Inigo Manglano-Ovalle "Banks in Pink and Blue,"
1999
http//europe.cnn.com/interactive/style/0009/genet
ic.art/content6.html
10
In 1901 corn yields in Illinois averaged 30
bushels per acre

• In 2001 they average more than 150 bushels per
  acre
• (Theres no doubt that we know how to produce
  more food)

http//www.agecon.purdue.edu/extensio/outlook/corn
/corn0800.htm
http//karws.gso.uri.edu/Photo_shows/Iowa_Sept99/F
ield_of_dreams/Field.html
11
In the 20th Century unimaginable powers were
discovered
On July 16, 1945, at 52945 AM, a light
"brighter than a thousand suns," filled the
valley. Contemplating this 10 years later, Robert
Oppenheimer quoted from Hindu scripture, the
Bhagavad-gita, "Now I am become death, the
destroyer of worlds." The world had entered the
nuclear age. (This bomb was identical in design
to the one dropped on Nagasaki.)
12
In 1869 it could take days to get the news
13
Now communications can be nearly instantaneous
http//www.jpl.nasa.gov/technology/images_videos/i
v_pages/Jpl5135a.html
14
And now you can reach millions of people cheaply
via the internet
15
The Atomic Age

• I Am Become Death They Made the Bomb is a
  chronicle of the Manhattan Project and the
  scientists who worked on it.
• It is an introduction to the question of whether
  certain areas of scientific research should be
  restricted
• And how those decisions should be made

16
Robotics

• This is the age of new technology - robotics,
  gene therapy, artificial intelligence,
  genetically modified foods, cochlear and other
  body implants. We are developing the potential to
  fundamentally change ourselves as a species. But
  what is appropriate and inappropriate? What does
  it mean - and what will it mean - to be human?

17
Our Genes Our Choices

• As scientific researchers work to uncover what
  specific genetic sequences of the human genome
  mean, the largest challenge may be the one facing
  us - how to live with genetic information.
• Genetic testing can already reveal a
  predisposition to diseases like breast cancer and
  Alzheimer's, and genetic science offers the hope
  of treatment and cures.
• But how will we handle what scientists are
  learning?

18
Genetic InformationThe Choices

• Should a man with a family history of cancer get
  tested for genetic markers that could indicate
  his risk for developing cancer?
• Will that knowledge add to or detract from his
  quality of life?
• Who would you want to know your personal genetic
  profile?
• What will happen if his insurance company finds
  out?
• Would his fiancée want to know that his future
  health is questionable?
• Should he be eligible to adopt a child - and
  insist that the child be genetically tested too?
• Does his employer have a right to know?

19
DNA ProfilesPersonal Rights vs the Common Good

• DNA Profiles have been used to solve many crimes
• DNA databases are being assembled by governments
  to serve as tools for solving future crimes
• But genetic information can also indicate
  psychological, physical, medical and behavioral
  characteristics

20
The Questions

• What type of information should be stored, for
  whom, and who should have access?
• Should DNA samples be destroyed as soon as they
  are entered into a database to thwart any
  temptation to use the sample for other purposes?
• As Phillips says "it will all have value to
  somebody, somewhere." What is more important -
  solving crimes or insuring privacy?
• Where does the best balance lie and who decides?

21
Global Warming

• Does it really exist?
• Is it caused by human actions?
• What will the consequences be?
• What would we need to do to avoid a problem?
• How certain do we need to be?
• How far should we go?

22
Species Extinction vs Economic Gain

• Scientists estimate that the current rate of
  species extinction is 100-1000 times greater than
  it would be without any human activity
• Overhunting and fishing
• Habitat destruction
• Ecological imbalance
• Introducing non-native species
• Pollution and consumption
• Climate change

23
What would you save?

• Would you save bald eagles?
• Would you save a species of gnat?
• Would you save a species of mosquitos that cause
  malaria?
• Would you save a pesky weed that stinks?
• Would you save a species of gazelles?

24
The Question is

• How far should we go in protecting species?
• How much is it worth?
• Is it worth 100 1,000 1,000,000
  1,000,000,000?
• Is it worth 1 job, 100 jobs, 100,000 jobs?
• Is it worth moving one house, is it worth not
  developing a lake?
• Is it worth a human life?

25
The Question is

• Who should decide?
• How should they decide?
• What should they consider?
• What do we gain?
• What do we lose?