Nature's Balance

Raymo raises valid concerns when he states, “The unexamined quest for knowledge is hemmed with peril.” He argues that science is not only beautiful, but also powerful and dangerous; he describes the multifaceted and “piercing horns of the dilemma of science” and cites radium, cesium, and autoluminescent tobacco as examples of scientific breakthroughs with positive and negative powers. Raymo illustrates how both radium and cesium cure and cause cancer, and how radium is also a potent energy source and a “weapon of destruction.” He continues to explain that the feat of genetically engineering a glowing tobacco plant also has its downsides. Though biotechnology produces helpful things like vaccines, it is also extremely dangerous since “gene(s) reproduce and copy (themselves) into the fabric of life,” making them potentially indestructible.

Recently, in biology, we also learned about biotechnology and gene splicing. It has many possible benefits, like fixing genetic mistakes and keeping organisms healthy, but it potentially enables eugenics as well. Antibiotics, too, have their downsides; they have cured sicknesses, but they have also led to the rise of resistant bacteria strains. Science clearly brings  “mixed blessings.” Therefore, people must exercise “a measure of restraint” when pursuing their scientific quests so as not to upset the delicate balance of nature.