Is the study of new and cutting-edge technologies a waste of time and effort? Some researchers with knowledge of certain technologies argue that their discoveries will equip mankind with new ways of living and drastically improve quality of life. Others argue that it is wasteful and inefficient to focus on inventions that are unlikely to change the world. Both points of view are reasonable, and the scientists themselves may disagree

However, scientists and other academics should, first and foremost, prioritize investigating topics that have the potential to change the world. Whether this means working on cutting-edge technologies or studying more mundane fields of science, it matters little as long as these endeavors have a good chance of being adopted and utilized by the general population. For instance, in the 19th century, many scientists vehemently debated the merits of the newly discovered field of photography. Some argued that the technology would be of little benefit to society, while others argued that it would become as commonplace as reading and writing. The arguments on both sides were compelling, but in the end, photography proved immensely useful to humanity and has continued to evolve in the past century

Today, scientists again debate the merits of another new technology: the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technique. Some believe that CRISPR/Cas9 has the potential to cure some diseases, while others assert that it is more likely to make life harder. However, the advances that CRISPR/Cas9 has already produced in the field of genetic engineering are incredible and essentially have ushered in a new era of genetic research and experimentation. It is estimated that within the next 10 years, diseases that were previously untreatable could be cured using this technology. Furthermore, the gene editing technique has already been used to create genetically modified pigs with human organs, with many more such advances likely to follow. The CRISPR/Cas9 technique has already received considerable public support, potentially paving the way for it to be adapted for use in human medical treatment. Another useful application of the technology has been in the creation of designer babies, where parents use the technique to alter their children’s genes before they are born. The widespread and growing acceptance of genetically modified organisms in recent years makes designer babies seem less of a far-fetched idea than it would have a decade ago

In a similar vein, the widely accepted idea that the Earth is round and not flat only became widely accepted after extensive scientific research and debate by prominent scientists. While debate in the scientific community can be heated and divisive, it is important to recognize that sometimes it takes years for scientific advances to be accepted by the general public. The field of genetic research and genetic engineering is a prime example. When scientists first began investigating the potential for the inheritable modification of human DNA, the idea of doing so was considered blasphemous. Today, almost 50% of the world’s countries have legalized some form of genetic modification, and it is estimated that about 1.5 million children have genetically modified embryos. This means that scientists seeking to contribute to society by advancing human knowledge must focus their efforts on topics that are likely to convince the public that their research has value

While both scientific and social advancements can be made through the development of new and cutting-edge technologies, the fields in which scientists and other academics should focus their efforts are clearly dependent upon the potential benefits that the research will have. Scientists must remember that their research is undertaken for the benefit of mankind as a whole. Therefore, they should always strive to find areas of research with great potential, even if it means delaying their research and devoting their time to more mundane subjects.