Biotechnology and the Law: Social Responsibility v. Freedom of Scientific Inquiry?

Authors

George P. Smith II, The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of LawFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1988

Abstract

At American University in Washington, D.C., on November 20, 1973, Julius Stone presented the tenth annual Mooers Lecture, entitled, "Knowledge, Survival, and the Duties of Science."' The central question and thesis that he propounded could and, indeed, should be raised anew today; they form the very core of the province and function of law, science, and medicine. In our brave new world they point to the leeways of choice and patterns of discourse that exist in grappling with the central issue of social responsibility in scientific inquiry. Perhaps they will assist in forging a consensus opinion for a subsequent course of action. The task of this Article, then, is to test, to probe anew, and to thereby critically analyze the modem significance of Dr. Stone's thesis regarding the social responsibility of scientific inquiry.

Recommended Citation

George P. Smith, II, Biotechnology and the Law: Social Responsibility or Freedom of Scientific Inquiry?, 39 MERCER L. REV. 437 (1988).