The Scientist and The Scientist and SocietySociety

Ted Wun, M.D., F.A.C.P.Ted Wun, M.D., F.A.C.P.Professor of Medicine, Pathology Professor of Medicine, Pathology

and Laboratory Medicineand Laboratory MedicineDivision of Hematology and Division of Hematology and

OncologyOncology

Why this topic?Why this topic?

This was a topic considered by many This was a topic considered by many to be important in RCR but was left to be important in RCR but was left out of the final NIH out of the final NIH recommendationsrecommendations

Tony Perez took my topicTony Perez took my topic An interesting personal conversationAn interesting personal conversation

Chemistry(1954)

Peace(1962)

Linus Pauling (1901-Linus Pauling (1901-1994)1994)

Founding Father of molecular biologyFounding Father of molecular biology Probably the most visible and accessible of Probably the most visible and accessible of

American scientistsAmerican scientists Over 1,000 articles and books, 2/3 scientificOver 1,000 articles and books, 2/3 scientific Wrote many books for the public; notorious Wrote many books for the public; notorious

Vitamin CVitamin C The The Nature of the Chemical Bond Nature of the Chemical Bond is considered the is considered the

most influential scientific book of the 20most influential scientific book of the 20thth century century Described sickle cell disease as a molecular Described sickle cell disease as a molecular

abnormality of hemoglobin along with Harvey abnormality of hemoglobin along with Harvey ItanoItano

Linus Pauling: Social Linus Pauling: Social ActivistActivist

The day he had dinner with JFK in honor of Noble The day he had dinner with JFK in honor of Noble Prize winners, he picketed the White House to ban Prize winners, he picketed the White House to ban atmospheric nuclear testingatmospheric nuclear testing

““Minimization of suffering” was his guiding ethical Minimization of suffering” was his guiding ethical principleprinciple

Outspoken critic of nuclear weapons and “loyalty Outspoken critic of nuclear weapons and “loyalty oaths” during the McCarthy eraoaths” during the McCarthy era Asked other scientists to join him and presented a petition Asked other scientists to join him and presented a petition

signed by 9,000 scientists to the U.N. in 1958; eventually signed by 9,000 scientists to the U.N. in 1958; eventually signed by 11,000 (before the internet)signed by 11,000 (before the internet)

Nuclear test ban treaty went into effect in 1963; on that same Nuclear test ban treaty went into effect in 1963; on that same day Pauling was awarded the Nobel Peace Prizeday Pauling was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize

Lifelong critic of warLifelong critic of war Left his post at Caltech due to pressure from Left his post at Caltech due to pressure from

administratorsadministrators

"It is sometimes said that science has "It is sometimes said that science has nothing to do with morality. This is nothing to do with morality. This is wrong. Science is the search for wrong. Science is the search for truth, the effort to understand the truth, the effort to understand the world; it involves the rejection of world; it involves the rejection of bias, of dogma, of revelation, but not bias, of dogma, of revelation, but not the rejection of morality...." the rejection of morality...."

Linus Pauling

What is the What is the purpose of purpose of science?science?

Natural PhilosophyNatural Philosophy

The term “science” was not coined The term “science” was not coined until the 1800’suntil the 1800’s Newton’s “The Mathematical Principles Newton’s “The Mathematical Principles

of Natural Philosophy”of Natural Philosophy” Many of histories great scientists Many of histories great scientists

wrote on “humanistic subjects”wrote on “humanistic subjects” Aristotle, Boyle, Bacon, Descartes, Aristotle, Boyle, Bacon, Descartes,

Newton, Darwin, EinsteinNewton, Darwin, Einstein

““Hard” and “Soft” Hard” and “Soft” ScienceScience

Universities are split among the Universities are split among the “humanities” and the “sciences”“humanities” and the “sciences” The commonly held conception that each The commonly held conception that each

“side” does not understand the other“side” does not understand the other ““How is an English Professor going to How is an English Professor going to

appropriately judge my work”appropriately judge my work” Economics, sociology, political “science” Economics, sociology, political “science”

considered “pseudo-science” by many of considered “pseudo-science” by many of usus

Concept that the hard sciences are Concept that the hard sciences are valueless, cold, complex, and inhumanevalueless, cold, complex, and inhumane

Science in Ancient Science in Ancient GreeceGreece

Modern science began in Ancient GreeceModern science began in Ancient Greece Natural explanations for natural phenomenonNatural explanations for natural phenomenon Socratic methodSocratic method TheoriesTheories Observations and experimentsObservations and experiments

Did not have a split between science and Did not have a split between science and other disciplinesother disciplines The basis for what we consider a liberal The basis for what we consider a liberal

education is based on Greek intellectual lifeeducation is based on Greek intellectual life The highest type of knowledge was the form of The highest type of knowledge was the form of

the goodthe good

Science and the Science and the RenaissanceRenaissance

There was also not as dramatic a There was also not as dramatic a split between science and the artssplit between science and the arts

Leonardo da VinciLeonardo da Vinci Detailed drawings of human anatomy, Detailed drawings of human anatomy,

animalsanimals InventorInventor Mona LisaMona Lisa

The Scientific RevolutionThe Scientific Revolution

Copernicus, Galileo, Vesalius, Harvey, Copernicus, Galileo, Vesalius, Harvey, NewtonNewton Challenged Church dogma and thus the authority Challenged Church dogma and thus the authority

of the Churchof the Church Science was established as a social institution Science was established as a social institution

separate from Church and Stateseparate from Church and State The EnlightenmentThe Enlightenment

Strong “faith” in science and technologyStrong “faith” in science and technology ““Belief” in the power of human reasonBelief” in the power of human reason Science should not concern itself with teleological Science should not concern itself with teleological

explanations?explanations?

Science Grows in Science Grows in InfluenceInfluence

Science began to have broad influence on Science began to have broad influence on Western cultureWestern culture Scientific method applied to many areas of Scientific method applied to many areas of

finance, governmentfinance, government Scientists became respected and Scientists became respected and

influentialinfluential BacklashBacklash

Luddites and AmishLuddites and Amish Thoreau’s Thoreau’s WaldenWalden, Shelley’s , Shelley’s FrankensteinFrankenstein DarwinDarwin ““Mad Scientists”Mad Scientists”

Scientists and Social Scientists and Social ResponsibilityResponsibility

Many of the scientists that worked on the Many of the scientists that worked on the Manhattan project felt guilt and moral Manhattan project felt guilt and moral revulsion at their role in the bombrevulsion at their role in the bomb Robert Oppenheimer was especially haunted and Robert Oppenheimer was especially haunted and

opposed the development of the hydrogen bombopposed the development of the hydrogen bomb Also fell victim to McCarthyismAlso fell victim to McCarthyism

Rachel Carson’s Rachel Carson’s Silent SpringSilent Spring Union of Concerned Scientists,

Environmental Defense, Council for Responsible Genetics, Science for the People, Center for Science in the Public Interest, AASS

Obstacles of Social Obstacles of Social ResponsibiltyResponsibilty

Obligation not to disclose Obligation not to disclose confidential information vs. the confidential information vs. the public interestpublic interest Jeffery Wigand, Ph.D.Jeffery Wigand, Ph.D.

Personal interest and career Personal interest and career ambitionsambitions Irving Weisman, M.D., testifying for Irving Weisman, M.D., testifying for

stem cell researchstem cell research

Avenues of Influence on Avenues of Influence on Policy: Objectivity vs. Policy: Objectivity vs.

AdvocacyAdvocacy Provide expert testimony or opinionsProvide expert testimony or opinions Education of studentsEducation of students

Volunteer in the classroomVolunteer in the classroom Conducting research that benefits societyConducting research that benefits society

Refusing to do research that may be harmful to Refusing to do research that may be harmful to societysociety

Assessing the impact of scientific researchAssessing the impact of scientific research Writing editorials with attached professional Writing editorials with attached professional

titletitle Lobbying CongressLobbying Congress Organizing/participating in rallies or protestsOrganizing/participating in rallies or protests VotingVoting

Recombinant DNARecombinant DNA

In the early 1970’s, it became In the early 1970’s, it became possible to do gene transferpossible to do gene transfer Great excitement (EPO) and concern Great excitement (EPO) and concern

(the Andromeda Strain)(the Andromeda Strain) Asilomar Conference, February 1975Asilomar Conference, February 1975

140 scientists met to discuss ethical 140 scientists met to discuss ethical issues surrounding recombinant issues surrounding recombinant technologytechnology

Recombinant DNA Advisory CommitteeRecombinant DNA Advisory Committee

The Human Genome The Human Genome ProjectProject

Was it good to sequence the human Was it good to sequence the human genome?genome?

Can you patent it?Can you patent it? Media spin on the race:Media spin on the race:

Public versus privatePublic versus private Societal benefit versus private profitSocietal benefit versus private profit Francis Collins versus Craig VenterFrancis Collins versus Craig Venter Good versus Evil?Good versus Evil?

One good thing: 4 years ahead, under budgetOne good thing: 4 years ahead, under budget

Issues Where UC Davis Issues Where UC Davis Faculty Have/Are InvolvedFaculty Have/Are Involved

Genetically Modified CropsGenetically Modified Crops Laboratory AnimalsLaboratory Animals Gun ControlGun Control MBTE as a carcinogenMBTE as a carcinogen Funding for Medical ResearchFunding for Medical Research Intelligent DesignIntelligent Design Migrant worker healthMigrant worker health

Case Discussion #1Case Discussion #1 You are an oncologists who repeatedly see You are an oncologists who repeatedly see

patients who have received alternative patients who have received alternative treatments from a alternative medicine treatments from a alternative medicine practitioner.practitioner.

This patients pays $10,000 out of pocket for This patients pays $10,000 out of pocket for the treatments, which are based on the the treatments, which are based on the theory that enemas will purge the body of theory that enemas will purge the body of cancer causing toxins.cancer causing toxins.

You advise your patient against this practice, You advise your patient against this practice, but he tells you that this practitioner has but he tells you that this practitioner has hundreds of patients who are cured and has a hundreds of patients who are cured and has a thriving practice as evidenced by his Ferrari.thriving practice as evidenced by his Ferrari.

What, if any, action should you take?What, if any, action should you take?

Who Decides Funding Who Decides Funding Priorities?Priorities?

Let science happen, the practical Let science happen, the practical applications will comeapplications will come

““Disproportionate” funding for HIV? Disproportionate” funding for HIV? Breast Cancer? Women’s Health? Lung Breast Cancer? Women’s Health? Lung Cancer? Prostate Cancer?Cancer? Prostate Cancer?

Should you try to influence these Should you try to influence these priorities?priorities?

Case Discussion #2Case Discussion #2 You are a molecular biologists and live in You are a molecular biologists and live in

Lawrence, Kansas and have a child entering Lawrence, Kansas and have a child entering the 7the 7thth grade. grade.

The school board decides to affix a warning The school board decides to affix a warning label to the science textbook that the theory label to the science textbook that the theory of natural selection is only that, and of natural selection is only that, and alternative explanations such as “intelligent alternative explanations such as “intelligent design” are legitimate, alternative design” are legitimate, alternative explanations.explanations.

You want your child to attend public school You want your child to attend public school but are very concerned about this policy. but are very concerned about this policy. What are you going to do?What are you going to do?

Case Discussion #3Case Discussion #3

Dr. O is working on an oral iron chelator Dr. O is working on an oral iron chelator for thalassemia patients with iron overloadfor thalassemia patients with iron overload She notes a number of hepatic adverse events She notes a number of hepatic adverse events

and wants to publish these resultsand wants to publish these results She has signed a confidentiality agreement She has signed a confidentiality agreement

with the sponsoring pharmaceutical with the sponsoring pharmaceutical company, and the executives of the company, and the executives of the company and one of her collaborators company and one of her collaborators oppose publication of the results to dateoppose publication of the results to date

What does Dr. O do?What does Dr. O do?

Case Discussion #4Case Discussion #4 You are a 2You are a 2ndnd year neurobiology graduate year neurobiology graduate

student studying Alzheimer’s disease in the student studying Alzheimer’s disease in the lab of a prominent researcher (PR).lab of a prominent researcher (PR).

In response to the California stem cell In response to the California stem cell initiative, PR elects to change the focus of initiative, PR elects to change the focus of his research as proposes to use ESC in his his research as proposes to use ESC in his research.research.

You are opposed to ESC research on You are opposed to ESC research on religious grounds, but PR has no other religious grounds, but PR has no other projects for you.projects for you.

Should you refuse to work on this research?Should you refuse to work on this research?