My body my laboratory Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

My body my laboratory - Article Example On the other hand, such self-experimentation allowed the scientifically minded luminaries a firsthand experience that enabled them to directly experience the veracity of what they believed in, thereby allowing for the progress of their cause. In contemporary times such self-experimentation could not be supported and rationalized. Many a time it puts the life of the experimenters at risk. Even if one supports such an approach in the name of altruism, practically speaking there is no need for it. Today, scientific research has entered an entirely new era where not only it is methodically codified and regulated but is supported by state of the art R&D facilities, foolproof methodologies and apt biological, chemical and digital techniques and gadgets that are immaculately sufficient in testing and measuring the nuances associated with varied scientific theories. In a contemporary context, the very need for retaining the sanctity and reliability of scientific research warrants discipline, restraint, and patience. Thus, most of the cases mentioned by Harrell in his article seem to be resorting to such experimentation, more out a lack of patience, inability to defer to established and universally reliable procedures and the need for instant publicity. The usage of one’s body as a laboratory may sometimes yield positive or even groundbreaking results. In the 21st century, scientific research needs more discipline, codification, and scientific reliability, which more than often cannot be furnished by such adventurism.