P. Balaram, former Director of IISc Bengaluru, greeting Dipankar Banerjee, Director of IIST, during the All India Science Conference held at the Tagore theatre in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday.
| Photo Credit: NIRMAL HARINDRAN
P. Balaram, former Director, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, on Saturday offered a profound reflection of science’s transformative impact on society, urging budding scientists to consider both the wonders and responsibilities that come with discovery.
Addressing an audience of researchers, academics, and students as he delivered the inaugural speech of the All India Science Conference organised by the Breakthrough Science Society here on Saturday, Prof. Balaram delved into the ethical implications of science, its historical progress, and its complex relationship with the society.
The biochemist began by addressing the fundamental question: What is science? Citing an early editorial from the journal NatureProf. Balaram invoked German writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s words: “Nature! We are surrounded and embraced by her, powerless to separate ourselves from her, and powerless to penetrate beyond her.” For Prof. Balaram, this quote encapsulates the essence of science – the study and exploration of nature.
A visitor looks through a telescope kept for demonstration at the All India Science Conference held at the Tagore theatre in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday.
| Photo Credit:
NIRMAL HARINDRAN
He also touched upon the concept of ‘scientific temper’, introduced by Jawaharlal Nehru, which advocates for a methodical, evidence-based approach for understanding the world, even as he acknowledged the occasional deviations from this ideal in scientific practice.
The 20th century, Prof. Balaram pointed out, witnessed transformative changes driven by science. He highlighted the monumental contributions of Russian chemist Dmitri Mendeleev and English biologist Charles Darwin, whose discoveries in chemistry and biology laid the groundwork for modern science. He also stressed the significance of the crucial discovery of the structure of DNA in 1953, which bridged the gap between genetics, chemistry, and biology to initiate the biotechnology revolution.
Darker side
Despite celebrating these triumphs, the scientist acknowledged the darker side of scientific progress. He discussed the environmental and health consequences of technologies like DDT, which, once hailed as a miracle solution, later caused widespread ecological damage. He also raised concerns about the ethical use of dual-purpose technologies, which could be applied both for peaceful and military objectives, as he referred to nuclear science as a key example.
Prof. Balaram exhorted scientists to balance their pursuit of knowledge with ethical considerations, particularly in the context of modern challenges like climate change and artificial intelligence. He added that the future of science must involve both innovative research and responsible application.
Breakthrough Science Society president Dhrubajyoti Mukherjee chaired the inaugural session. Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) Director Dipankar Banerjee, Breakthrough Science Society national secretary Soumitro Banerjee, State president C.P. Aravindakshan, former Director of the State Science and Technology Museum and Planetarium Arul Jerald Prakash, Sasthra Vedhi State president Achuthsankar S. Nair and science activist Vaisakhan Thampi also spoke.
Published – February 08, 2025 07:01 pm IST
