Running Head: SCIENCE

Effect of Scientific Knowledge and Historical Events on Understanding

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One of the scientific phenomena which has triggered a series of changes in our understanding is the genetic dogma which proposed that the genes in the DNA have the unique absolute and all round control of the total inherited characteristics in all forms of life. The original discovery by two genetic scientists, Watson and Crick in 1953 who elucidated the double helix structure of the DNA molecule formed the central dogma that the organism’s genome which forms the basis of its characteristics and inherited traits is entirely made up of its DNA complement (Commoner, 2002). This led to a general belief that since human beings are believed to be superior over all other organisms, their genetic make up should be very different to that of the other organisms especially the lower organisms.

Further studies on the same subject between 1990 and 2001 by Crick, one of the discoverers unraveled the truth in this myth with his findings that indeed there are very few genes that account for the differences between human beings and other organisms (Zairandi, 2004). This meant that genetically human beings and other lower animals and plants only differ by very few genes. This was a major blow to the validity of the biotechnology industry and the genetic engineering theories which had led most people to believe that genetically modified crops and organisms are predictable, specific and hence safe. The comparison of the genetic make up of human beings through these discoveries has led to heated debates and questions about the superiority of human beings over other organisms and even changed the perceptions about the humans self esteem. These discoveries have contributed to the global controversies surrounding the modern medical interventions like human gene cloning, genetically modified crops and even gene therapy in the treatment of cancer.

Historically, the tsunami that occurred in the western Indonesia in 2004 killing about 167,700 people and displacing many more came as a wake up call to the Indonesian government and the world as a whole regarding disaster preparedness and response (Custer, 2005). At the time of the disaster, Indonesia was thought to be among the leading countries in terms of state machinery necessary for mounting an efficient rescue operation yet this disaster subdued their capacity. This called for a change of strategy in the management sand aversion of future disasters. The government embarked on changing the legislations regarding disaster management. This changed the general belief that disaster preparedness efforts were totally the government’s responsibility but rather a responsibility of all the society elements.

When another tsunami struck Indonesia on 26th December 2006, the mitigation measures that had been put in place to avert another possible disaster were again put to test. During that time, scientific research had led people to believe that creation of buffer zones as protective barriers such as coral reefs and mangrove forests along the coastal line would help in preventing damage to communities living along the coast. However, further studies have shown that the creation of these protection buffer zones would lead tog a far greater humanitarian crisis as it would render thousands more people living in the coastal strip homeless. This is due to the fact that for these buffer zones to be effective, they will have to be wide enough, which would make them too expensive to implement and would interfere with the ongoing resettlement efforts . According to Tsuchiya and Shuto (1995), this calls for adoption of other technological interventions like installation of warning signals for tsunamis and even educating the public on early warning signs of a tsunami.

References

Commoner, B. (2002). Unraveling the DNA Myth, the Springs Foundation of Genetic Engineering. Newyork.

Custer, R. W. (2005). The Indonesian Tsunami and Pakistan Earthquake report

Tsuchiya, Y. & Shuto, N. (1995). Tsunami: progress in prediction, disaster prevention and warning. Springer, vol. 4.

Zairandi, M. M. (2004). Science and the Myth of Progress. World Wisdom.