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Date: | Thu, 30 Dec 2004 02:38:58 EST |
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Kathleen,
My comment about synthetic meaning genetically engineered was a comment about
the "politics" of current science. It was not meant to be a technical
response. I believe that in previous posts I have addressed this issue in regard to
the word "novel."
"Synthetic" and "novel" are the words currently used in the United States
(probably elsewhere, too) to cover up the fact that something is genetically
engineered. It is a political use of the words because genetically engineered
creates a great deal of upset among the lay public. Thus these terms have
general meanings (there are a variety of ways to imitate nature)but I see them
often used when people do not want to publicly discuss genetic engineering.
I certainly agree with your husband's observation that, "there are not many
sources of funding that are available with no expectaion of an sort of
"payback." Which leads me to believe that what we call science in our society is not
what I would call science. It is enormously biased in favor of making money
and not finding out the truth of a given situation. In medical research this
bias can mean the difference between life and death.
I beg to differ about corporate scientists receiving little financial benefit
from their research. (some corporate scientists invent patents and receive
extra financial benefit) That difference of opinion maybe a matter of
perspective. Corporate scientists may feel that they are not getting much benefit. But
certainly in the current economic times even having a job might be considered
a minor miracle. Not having a job is a real threat to anyone's finances. If
your corporation wants your research presented in a certain way, how many
researchers are willing to risk their job (and their resume--getting fired looks
bad on your resume). I agree, though that making money at something you love
to do is possible. I just think in corporate America its getting harder and
harder to do.
Valerie W. McClain, breastfeeding advocate
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