Three+Articles

1. ARTIFICIAL JELLYFISH  In way of scientific advancement, this research certainly is mainly advantageous. Namely, we can now pick and choose exactly what we are testing on and how certain stimuli affect these cells and structures directly. By eliminating various variables, more accurate and specific research can be conducted, and fundamental processes and interactions can be more clearly understood. Secondly, there should be no moral or ethical issues surrounding animal testing as the subjects being tested are merely a collection of fibers and tissues; manufactured muscle, for example, incapable of any level of consciousness. As it does not function as a whole organism it cannot feel pain. The feasibility of this research is also promising, as it is a combination of living and non-living cells. Basically, this breakthrough acts as a single brick which promising advancements can be built from.  2. SLEEPWALKING KILLERS  In order to keep the utmost fairness, the law has always had to consider the situation surrounding a crime. As unyielding as justice is, there really are no black and white areas. Because consciousness is also a very murky area, it should be considered in the same way.  Cases like the ones referred to in the article are obviously not common phenomena. It is more frequent to hear of a violent crime due to motivations such as money or anger, and because of its frequency it is perhaps even more easily accepted. So, in order to decide how to deal with such a rare occurrence, a comparison must be drawn and then modeled after. In this case, one can consider how the insane are dealt with in court. Offenders are often excused, or their sentences lessened, due to being temporarily //non compos mentis//. Though it is understood that these people are obviously //awake// while committing crimes, they are still considered an exception because their motivations are not comprehended, and their level of consciousness is not considered the same as what we consider a sane person’s to be. Likewise, a sleepwalking killer would not understand his //own// motivations once he awoke and became conscious again, and should thus be considered innocent.  3. INTENSE COMPETITION AMONG SCIENTISTS  One who says that science is entirely unemotional is entirely mistaken. It has always been tainted by those who practice it; rivalry has always been a main motivator next to curiosity, which is why it’s easy to see those involved become so passionate. However, as it is a great motivator, let it be so. The problem lies in the difficulty to keep one’s own agenda separate.  Scientific discovery should always take priority next to recognition for it. One can be emotional over the subject, but the intricacies of facts and formulae should remain unaffected. When scientists let petty details bleed over into their clearness of mind, their direction becomes blurred and advancement is forsaken for juvenile squabbles over things like credit and recognition. If one is truly passionate about science, one should simply try his best to do his best; otherwise it is obvious that he is merely contending for his own sake and not for the sake of sharing what he has discovered. 