Should every country have the right to carry out unlimited scientific research?

Key Words: Should: provides direction for the essay (yes/no question) Right: freedom or entitlement to something Unlimited: no boundaries, no restrictions (need not be approved by the government?) Scientific Research (governments and people have the capital and the technological knowhow to make inventions and discoveries)

STAND: No, countries should not have the right to carry out unlimited scientific research. They should have the right to pursue scientific research, but such research should be regulated as scie nce may be wielded to use harm as well. Despite some dangers posed by scientific research, it is undeniable that such research will be a great benefit to mankind Therefore, moderating its progress is enough rather than eliminating it completely For: Sovereign right of a country to conduct research that it deems to be in its best interests can help to improve the standard of living in many countries (e.g. towering skyscrapers, communication satellites are all the products of scientific research) Research should be uninhibited in the name of science, for unbridled progress to be possible. - To solve many pressing issues in the world such as poverty and dwindling energy resources. Against: Ethical issues: for controversial research such as cloning and stem cell research, are animals involved in the scientific testing when carrying out scientific research? Danger: some technology is deemed to be too dangerous to be proliferated. - Potential harm that could arise from new inventions and discoveries - e.g. nuclear weapons destroys world peace Imagine if every country in the world had access to such weapons - although nuclear weapons can be good tools for national defence in times of war, they may be misused and cause much irreversible harm Environmental Concerns

Conclusion: There is a pressing need for scientific research leading to technological advances to solve many of the global issues today. However we need to remain mindful that science is often a double edged sword that can save and also kill. There has to be checks and balances in place to ensure that ethical and safe scientific research is being conducted.