The World is Sick

Stop Stopping Science

In 1989, the Havasupai tribe of the Grand Canyon approached a scientist for help. They were plagued with an unusually high incidence of diabetes and schizophrenia. Many tribe members had to undergo amputation, and others had to leave the canyon for dialysis. After some negotiations, blood samples were taken from them to study genetic markers for the diseases. Research was done.

Some years later, those same blood samples were used by other scientists. In brief, it was found that there was evidence of inbreeding in the tribe. It was also found that the tribe, which believes itself to be have originated from, and are chosen guardians of the canyon, have Asian origins.

When these facts were revealed to the tribe, they claimed that their blood was used for research that they had not agreed to. They sued the Arizona State University, and won.

This is stupid.

Most importantly, a history of inbreeding can contribute to a high rate of diabetes. To say that this discovery had nothing to do with the initial purpose(to identify the cause of diabetes in the tribe, and prevent it), is a complete and utter lie. Also, while perhaps more general, the information about their genetic ancestry is not completely useless. Knowing such things can provide clues about other things, like relations between different groups of people. Comparing different groups is part of science.

The situation is stupid. Primitive tribespeople wonder why they have so much diabetes. Science tells them why. Tribespeople don’t like what they hear. Ancient beliefs are challenged. Tribespeople deny evidence. Tribespeople sue, and get money. Oh, and the university can’t study them any more. Plus, the blood samples that they had since the early 1990’s are no longer with them. 

It angers me. The exact same situation occurs with the major religions of the world. Whenever some stone-age belief is challenged, people get mad and demand immunity. It makes no sense. In a world where science and technology are the supreme forces, petty superstitions and ancient doctrines(that often make no sense, mind you) shouldn’t be listened to.

The legal system that let the tribe win is also at fault. Now, I’m not exactly in favour of the emphasis on “ethical science”, but it does seem necessary sometimes. For instance, requiring full consent and providing all information before undergoing an experiment that might cause the subject to explode. On the other hand, parsing a DNA sample for genetic markers really shouldn’t require all the red tape. No harm can be done to the subject whose DNA was taken(except maybe emotional harm, to the wilfully ignorant).

If someone found a drop of my blood and ran tests on it, and then told me that I was predisposed for cancer, I would thank him, not sue him. With that information, I would be able to plan ahead. Make the changes in my life necessary to combat the disease. Knowing things lets you predict things. Predicting things saves you time, energy, and reduces pain.

The world, as a whole, needs to embrace discovery. Whether or not it challenges previously held beliefs. Especially if it challenges beliefs. If we weren’t able to accept that we might be wrong in the light of new evidence, we would be living in a much more backward world. The earth would still be a pizza. There would still be a freaking turtle under it. Virgin sacrifices would be needed to appease gods. Shaking hands with a stranger could kill you, your family, and your dog.

It seems as though there was a time when science was an incredibly romantic, enticing thing. Discovery after discovery, invention after invention. Graham Bell creates a way to talk to people far away without tapping a stick. Edison rips of Nikola Tesla and “invents” the lightbulb. Also the electric chair(thank you very much, direct current). NASA is founded. People set foot on the moon. Penicillin saves lives. Every one of these achievements was welcomed with open arms.

Now, however, no one seems to care. Why are there no huge headlines about stem cell therapy restoring movement to paraplegics? Why is the only news about lab-cultured neurons learning how to pilot miniature aircraft in a wind tunnel only in science magazines? What about our space elevator? It seems as though the only big headlines are when someone clones something, pretends to clone something, or does some research that challenges an archaic belief system.

And it always results in more restrictions being put on the scientists. This has to stop. Scientists are the crusaders of knowledge. The Indiana Joneses of the real world. The ones who will make Star Wars the real world. Stop stopping us.