From my earliest days I had a passion for science.
From my earliest days I had a passion for science.
But the first the general public learned about the discovery was the news of the destruction of Hiroshima by the atom bomb. A splendid achievement of science and technology had turned malign. Science became identified with death and destruction.
At this momentous event in my life - the acceptance of the Nobel Peace Prize - I want to speak as a scientist, but also as a human being.
The time has come to formulate guidelines for the ethical conduct of scientist, perhaps in the form of a voluntary Hippocratic Oath.
But there are other areas of scientific research that may directly or indirectly lead to harm to society. This calls for constant vigilance.
Indeed, the whole human species is endangered, by nuclear weapons or by other means of wholesale destruction which further advances in science are likely to produce.
I did not imagine that the second half of my life would be spent on efforts to avert a mortal danger to humanity created by science.
At a time when science plays such a powerful role in the life of society, when the destiny of the whole of mankind may hinge on the results of scientific research, it is incumbent on all scientists to be fully conscious of that role, and conduct themselves accordingly.
© 2020 Inspirational Stories
© 2020 Inspirational Stories