Science never provides solutions; it only creates problems. Discuss.

Over the last century, man has taken great strides in the advancement of science. In the
field of medical science, man has found cures to diseases like smallpox. In computer
science, man has created programs capable of solving complex problems more accurately
and efficiently. As we look at how our lives have changed as a result of science, we
cannot deny that science has been a great blessing to mankind by providing many
solutions to problems which we face in life. However, science also has its fair share of
problems. The misuse of science and technology has created problems like global
warming. Thus, while science provides solutions, we have to agree that it also creates
problems which came into existence only a few decades ago.

Observations of the problems faced by man often precede the making of any scientific
discovery. For example, research in solar energy and hydro-electric energy started
because man was facing problems of depletion of oil and coal reserves. The search for a
cure for smallpox started when doctors observed many people dying from the deadly
disease every year. Problems with transportation have been overcome by the invention of
automobiles and airplane. Rescue operations for the recent Sichuan earthquake would not
have been possible without aeroplanes and helicopters. From these examples, we can see
that most scientific discoveries and inventions are made with the intention of solving
problems and improving life. Thus, science has definitely provided many solutions for
man.

However, we cannot ignore the problems caused by science. Although automobiles have
eased transportation problems, they have also been the major culprits of the greenhouse
effect and air pollution. In agricultural science, while the invention of pesticides like
DDT has helped to increase crop yield, it has been found that pesticides are in fact
harmful to the environment in the long run as it causes the disruption of ecological
cycles. Besides that, the pesticides often become useless within a few years as the pests
acquire immunity to the pesticides. Thus, sometimes new problems may arise from
science because scientists fail to foresee the side effects and long-term environmental
implications of their discoveries and inventions.

Sometimes, the way a scientific discovery or invention is used by man may not be under
the control of scientists. Charles Babbage, the man who invented computers, surely did
not foresee the problem of hacking and computer viruses prevalent in the virtual world
today. The discovery of nuclear technology may have been intended for the good of
mankind, but it has also led to the invention of the atomic bomb which is capable of
causing massive destruction within seconds. Although new problems have been created
from these scientific discoveries and inventions, it is unfair to blame science for these
problems. After all, science is merely a tool, like fire and can be used for good or bad.
How it is used depends on the person who uses it. While science has provided a platform
for these problems to happen, it is not a direct cause of these problems. Rather, the people
who abuse science should be blamed for the problems that are created.
Although science may have been the cause of many problems, science has also provided
solutions to the problems it is responsible for. The study of zoology has helped man to
build enclosures similar to the natural habitats of wildlife in danger of extinction.
Although new computer viruses are created by hackers every day, anti-viruses are
constantly improved and updated to combat new Trojans and worms. Besides that, as air
pollution becomes a more serious problem in many countries, scientists have taken steps
to reduce the emission by automobiles by fitting in catalytic converters and removing
lead from petrol. Thus, even though the initial invention may have flaws, scientists
always seek to improve and provide new solutions to problems.

Science, however, cannot provide solutions to every problem in the world. Science can
provide answers to questions that are science-related, but with respect to questions on
ethics and morals, science cannot provide an answer. Not too long ago, research in life
sciences and cloning has led to a heated debate of thorny moral and ethical issues. Some
view cloning as acceptable while others who think otherwise feel that cloning is akin to
‘playing god’. Thus, for questions such as these which pertain to about what is morally
and ethically right, science cannot provide a solution.

In conclusion, while it is true that science causes problems, it is unfair to say that science
is all bad. Science has definitely provided solutions to many problems we faced.
However, we also cannot be naïve to say that science has an answer for everything.
Given enough time, scientists will probably be able to find cures to cancer, develop a
cleaner form of technology and create new computer programs to aid in research.
However, for problems that relate to morals and ethics, science cannot provide an answer.
We will have to look elsewhere, perhaps religion, for an answer.