In the course of history, science has been critical for the development of society and improvement in the living conditions of people. Nevertheless, it could be misapplied, and the consequences of such misapplication could be catastrophic. To a great extent, the film Jurassic Park can be tied to the discussion of historical and ethical issues related to the use of scientific results.
In particular, one can focus on the conversation between John Hammond and Jan Malcolm, who discuss the ethical responsibilities of scientists. To a great extent, this scene demonstrates that, in some cases, irresponsible attitude towards scientific achievements can lead to significant challenges for the community and endanger many innocent people. These are the main questions that should be examined more closely.
The film Jurassic Park includes several scenes that can be discussed from an ethical viewpoint. For instance, one can mention the conversation between Jan Malcolm and John Hammond. In particular, Jan Malcolm warns Hammond about the dangers of the experiments carried out by the company InGen. He compares such experiments to the behavior of a child who plays with the gun that accidentally slips into his/her hands (Jurassic Park).
Moreover, this scene demonstrates that people who created the so-called Jurassic park were primarily concerned about potential revenues, but they completely overlooked the potential risks of this project. Additionally, Malcolm notes that scientists should think about the ethical implications of their research (Jurassic Park). The main problem is that Malcolm’s warning goes completely unnoticed. Overall, this scene is important for the discussion of many historical and ethical issues related to the use of science.
One should note that in the course of history, scientific works have often been misinterpreted or misused. For instance, it is possible to mention the use of genetics and evolutionary theory. Much attention should be paid to the popularity of eugenics, which led to the forced sterilization of many people (Lynn 4). Later, it became clear that such practices had been completely immoral and unscientific; however, many biologists supported this practice and tried to provide scientific justification for it.
The use of eugenics was based on the ideas of such prominent thinkers as Francis Galton and Charles Darwin (Lynn 4). Yet, these ideas were used to serve political purposes (Lynn 4). Moreover, one should mention that the results of scientific research could be used for the production of weapons that could pose a threat to the very existence of humankind. For instance, one can speak about the invention of nuclear weapons. In turn, the arguments put forward by Ion Malcolm are aimed at showing that the absence of scientific ethics can lead to disastrous results that can endanger the lives of many people.
This discussion throws light on the importance of responsibility, which is critical for avoiding many pitfalls related to scientific research. Additionally, this scene demonstrates that it is necessary to consider the interests of various stakeholders who may be affected by their research. In turn, Jan Malcolm notes that the use of genetic engineering may transform the entire world; therefore, one should be very careful while using this tool (Jurassic Park). The later development of the plot indicates that Malcolm was quite right. Moreover, this scene throws light on the importance of honesty because scientists should fully disclose information about the risks of the research.
On the whole, this discussion indicates that the use of ethical safeguards is critical for the successful application of scientific results. The scene, which has been analyzed, demonstrates that researchers should not disregard the potential impact of their work. Moreover, in the course of history, science could often be misapplied by people who pursued their military, political, or ideological purposes. This is why the responsible attitude of researchers is a critical value that should not be overlooked. These are the main arguments that can be put forward.
Works Cited
Jurassic Park. Ex. Prod. Kathleen Kennedy. Los Angeles: Amblin Entertainment, 1993. DVD.
Lynn, Richard. Eugenics: A Reassessment, New York: Greenwood Publishing Group, 2001. Print.