Restraint

"A Measure of Restraint" by Chet Raymo reveals a vital flaw in mankind's desire for scientific progress. Just like everything else in life, science should be subject to a certain "measure of restraint". When the two men discover a stainless steel cylinder in an abandoned radiation clinic, they do not think twice before distributing the "seemingly magical material" inside of it. Although this may seem to be a foolish mistake that could only happen in the past, the reality is that a very similar phenomena is occurring today: Genetically Modified Organisms.

In modern times, science has gone so far that it is beginning to defy nature. Genes of certain insects are being added to plants to give them desirable characteristics. Today, 88% of corn is genetically modified, 92% of soy is genetically modified, 94% of cottonseeds are genetically modified, and the list goes on and on. None of these Frankenstein-like species would exist in a natural setting, but science follows no limit. There are definitely positives to GMOs such as the ability to mass produce but they are also known to cause organ damage, antibiotic resistance, and allergies. No one is arguing against scientific progress, but it is important to set limits in every field, even science.