Scientists are not delinquents. Our work has changed the conditions in which men live, but the use made of these changes is the problem of governments, not of scientists.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
I don't know how you overcome the dearth of scientists in the government positions.
There is not much that even the most socially responsible scientists can do as individuals, or even as a group, about the social consequences of their activities.
Scientists tend to be unappreciated in the world at large, but you can hardly overstate the importance of the work they do.
If Baltimore's view, that scientists who do not take the words of authorities are far removed from the ordinary behavior of scientists, prevails in the scientific community, then something fundamental, very serious, and very disturbing is happening to the scientific community.
It seems that this situation is not restricted to science but is more generally human.
Scientists are being portrayed by much of the power structure in politics and business as having a vested interest - that they're just out to get more grant money by exaggerating the threats.
The public impression is that the government, industry or the highest bidder can buy a scientist to add credibility to any message. That crucial quality of impartiality is being lost.
At a time when science plays such a powerful role in the life of society, when the destiny of the whole of mankind may hinge on the results of scientific research, it is incumbent on all scientists to be fully conscious of that role, and conduct themselves accordingly.
Good scientists will fight the system rather than learn to work with the system.
Individual scientists cannot do much on their own. Heads of nations, corporates, and economic giants should recognise the criticality of it.
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