Technology is application of science, which in turn is the fundamental knowledge of how natural phenomena occur, and why they occur. Research is establishing this very knowledge, and bringing out pure facts, beyond the shadow of doubt. It involves rigorous experimentation, modelling or simulation depending on the field involved. At times, research also includes gathering data and analysing it for specific trends, for example surveys done by various companies before designing a new product.
Research depends on two key factors, one being highly qualified personnel and the other being the required equipments or testing facilities. Both these factors being expensive, the overall cost of research is very high. Also, there is no guarantee as regard to the outcome, since it is an uncharted territory. Money, effort and time has to be continuously pumped in, to keep the wheels rolling. Many a times, research in one field leads to simultaneous breakthroughs in the related sectors, because of their inherent correlation. Also, while progressing towards the principle target, often smaller yet useful inventions are created in the wake. An excellent example of this is the microwave oven, which was an outcome of early space research!
As with any new proposal, research also has its own share of controversies. The biggest of this is probably the one surrounding stem cell research. If successful, it could one day allow us to simply "grow" a required organ, thus eliminating the entire process of organ donation and the lengthy waiting period involved. On the other hand, what it also translates into is the possibility of human cloning, which is considered unethical by many. Another burning example of the recent past is the research surrounding the origin of man - which is now widely accepted to be as per the Darwinian Theory of evolution.
Despite this, money spent on research is not a waste - it almost always bears fruit, if not directly, indirectly. Even if the results are controversial, there are still more than one interpretations, and therefore paths to choose for further study. The thinking process of the people involved, and likely to be involved is stimulated, and more people may actually be inspired to pursue research, to find the truth behind the controversy! In addition, when there are big controversies involved, organisations or even nations are ready to pump in more man power and money into that research, just to prove their point. Although the motive of research should not be sheer ego or pride, but these more often than not end up being the driving factors in controversial cases.
Looking at it from a different perspective, a controversial research has actually opened up new facts and direction of thinking, from the mere fact that the subject involved became a controversy based on the research in question! Hence in my opinion, money spent on research is almost always a good investment, even when the results of that research are controversial.
Research depends on two key factors, one being highly qualified personnel and the other being the required equipments or testing facilities. Both these factors being expensive, the overall cost of research is very high. Also, there is no guarantee as regard to the outcome, since it is an uncharted territory. Money, effort and time has to be continuously pumped in, to keep the wheels rolling. Many a times, research in one field leads to simultaneous breakthroughs in the related sectors, because of their inherent correlation. Also, while progressing towards the principle target, often smaller yet useful inventions are created in the wake. An excellent example of this is the microwave oven, which was an outcome of early space research!
As with any new proposal, research also has its own share of controversies. The biggest of this is probably the one surrounding stem cell research. If successful, it could one day allow us to simply "grow" a required organ, thus eliminating the entire process of organ donation and the lengthy waiting period involved. On the other hand, what it also translates into is the possibility of human cloning, which is considered unethical by many. Another burning example of the recent past is the research surrounding the origin of man - which is now widely accepted to be as per the Darwinian Theory of evolution.
Despite this, money spent on research is not a waste - it almost always bears fruit, if not directly, indirectly. Even if the results are controversial, there are still more than one interpretations, and therefore paths to choose for further study. The thinking process of the people involved, and likely to be involved is stimulated, and more people may actually be inspired to pursue research, to find the truth behind the controversy! In addition, when there are big controversies involved, organisations or even nations are ready to pump in more man power and money into that research, just to prove their point. Although the motive of research should not be sheer ego or pride, but these more often than not end up being the driving factors in controversial cases.
Looking at it from a different perspective, a controversial research has actually opened up new facts and direction of thinking, from the mere fact that the subject involved became a controversy based on the research in question! Hence in my opinion, money spent on research is almost always a good investment, even when the results of that research are controversial.
1 comment:
very well written.. :)
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