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Labyrinth of Knowledge

A Nobel Laureate Speaks:
I should like to discuss two strangely interrelated subjects. The fl nil deals with an aspect of the scicniific process that tells us that It I* difficult or Impossible lo obtain perfect knowledge about a subject. The second 1* concerned with problems of strong measure of personal responsibility.
In one construction of the scientific process, hypothesis arc formulated from observa lions, or from theory, and laboratory or observational experiments are designed to lest the hypotheses. After the conclusion of each experiment, a decision is made as lo whether the hypothesis is supported or rejected. The data collected to test the first hypothesis can then be used to generate new hypothesis which, tn turn . generate more answers, but also more questions.
The more we know, the more we know about what we don't know. If perfect knowledge means that we know everything possible about a subject. then the scicniific process. as I have described ft docs not achieve that goal.
When a probk-m Is solved ft raises another problem, Ihe solution of which in turn creates new problems. The slory of Daedalus, a hero of ancient Gree k mythology, is an
Interesting metaphor for this process.
Daedalus was an architect, a sculptor, an engineer, an artisan and a problem solver. But each time he solved a problem, other problems were generated. While serving st the court of King Minos of Crete, he solved the problems of Queen Paaiphe s love for a great white bull. He designed and bulk a model, a life-size hollow cow. When the Queen was placed inside, she became impregnated. However, this solution to her problem raised another one, namely . the issue of this union, the dreaded man-monster, the Minotaur.
Daedalus solved this problem buy designing and constructing the labyrinth. a maze in which the Minotaur was secured This in turn created another problem Athenian youths and maidens had lo be offered lo the Minotaur each year, which caused Daedalus much grief since he himself was an Anlhcnian. To resolve this situation he helped Theseus and Ariadne (daughter of the King and Queen and therefore half sister lo the monster) to kill the Minotaur and escape
from the great maze. But this led to Daedalus Imprisonment In the Labyrinth along with his son Icarus. The solution to this problem - the escape of Daedalus and Icarus, ualng wings that Daedalus had designed and made of feathers and wax - led to Ihe death of Icarus. Daedalus, however, flew on to other adventures and lo the solution and creation of new problems
Thus the product of scientific creativity and problem solving often seems to be a new problem, even though the overall result may be satisfactory. It Is valuable to keep this possibility in mind as we use science lo solve new social problems arising from advances In technology, such as improvements in health care.
The World Health Organisation has set itself the’ goal of achieving "health for all by the year 2000". Measures lo
achieve this will include those taken by governments and civic organisations, and thr>M-which are the responsibility of the individual. The former are particularly important in developing countries . Primary among them arc ensuring the purity of food and water, appropriate management of the disposal of human wastes, control of disease carrying insects, and mass vaccinations programmes.
In the developed countries, because of the generally high standard of living, good hous-
ing and sophisticated infras-tructure.many of these prob Icm* have been solved. If these achievement can be extended lo countries where life expectancy is shorter, dnunaltic improvements can be predicted.
Both In the developed and the developing countries, the individuals participation In the process of health care Is csaenUal.
Change* in everyday behaviour are esaenlial requirement* for a healthy community.
Cigarette smoking, excessive use- of akohoL diets which lead lo obesity and a high level of cholcstorcl. and lack of regular exercise, are responsible for a major part of the- disease load. Accidents, often caused by automobile drivers under the influence of ak-ohol. and violent bchiivlour. homicide* and suicide, are-major contributors to premature death
Obviously, society plays a large part in helping to alter behaviour along lines acceptable to II, but ultimately It Is the individual wlx> must give up destructive habits.
There I* evidence that society responds to useful Information produced by research and can bring about changes in people's lifestyle In the United States, and to a lesser exter.’ In others countries, the number of smoker* has decreased dramatically In the past decade, and thia Is re fleeted. In part. In the ptatcau-Ing and decrease In the curve of lung cancer Incidence In
During the past few year* there has been a dramatic decrease In cardiovascular dis ease In many population groups In the USA and elsewhere.
These results arc partly due to Improvement* in medical and hospital care, but they enn be largely attributed lo hc.dthler diets and the popu-kirity of vigorous physical acUv-Hy approaching near manti In some communities.
BARUCH SAMUBL BLUMBERG, of the United States, shared ths 1976 Robel Prize for Physiology or Medicine with D.C Osjdneek for mechanism* for the origfa and spread of infection* disease. His research on population genetic* led to the discovery of the "Australian antigen’ and it* role in Hepetiti*.