• Question: why do you think science is important to other people & animals?

    Asked by chloeangelmaehallx3 to Andrew, Emma, Marianne on 17 Jun 2010 in Categories: . This question was also asked by purplewolf9.
    • Photo: Andrew Maynard

      Andrew Maynard answered on 15 Jun 2010:

      Hi chloeangelmaehallx3 and purplewolf,

      This is a really complex question (and a good one), but I will try and give you a simple answer. Science helps us understand ourselves and the world, and potentially helps improve things for people, animals and the environment as a whole.

      Things get complex though because science can also lead to problems – the challenges we are facing with pollution and global warming started because of science! But if you think about how we are going to ensure that more than six billion people around the world are going to be fed, housed, have access to clean water and power, and live fulfilled lives, and how we are going to ensure we don’t make a total mess of the world, I don’t think we can do it without science!

    • Photo: anon

      anon answered on 15 Jun 2010:

      I should ask you that question but I’m afraid your name is too long to type in. I think there are many examples of the way in which science has helped people and animals.

      For instance, the development of vaccines, antibiotics and antiseptics. These prevent and fight dangerous infections.

      I challenge you to name an aspect of your day that wasn’t influenced by science..(I may regret this…) I’m relying on the other scientists to help me out with this (please? I take back some of the sillier stuff I’ve said about you)

    • Photo: Marianne Baker

      Marianne Baker answered on 16 Jun 2010:

      Hey chloeangelmaehallx3 (that’s a mess to type!!)

      Well. Science isn’t just a subject or a job. It’s a way of thinking about the world around us and it allows us to understand things, gain knowledge and apply that knowledge. It gives us technology (including medicine) and it has allowed us to live much longer lives.

      Science doesn’t only benefit people but also animals – if we understand our surroundings we can protect them better, and often with understanding comes respect. Some of the greatest damage to the environment occurs simply because people are ignorant of it.

      Also medical advances benefitting people can also help veterinary science and indeed as we discover things about our own bodies, that tends to tell us a lot about biology in general, across many different species.

      Science enriches our lives. Without it many of our Arts would be impossible or at least a lot less sophisticated. The world would be a much smaller place (I love being able to talk to my friends on the other side of the planet!).

      The impact of science is immeasurable. It is life!

    • Photo: anon

      anon answered on 17 Jun 2010:

      Hi chloeangelmaehallz3 and purplewolf9. Science gives us information to make decisions. Those decisions could affect how we manage the environment which includes people and animals so it can help towards the development of new medicines, how we treat certain illnesses, how can we make new products that makes life easier for us and how we can change our behaviour to combat climate change. It is so integral to our whole life! What would we do without it?! (and by the way…like your names):)

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