Negative Effects of Science

Science is a great boon to mankind. At the same time it is a big curse also. It is as destructive as constructive. It has given state-of-the-art weapons and warheads in the hands of mankind which cause mass killing and destruction at a far-off place merely at the trigger of a button. Science has produced hydrogen bomb, nuclear bombs, fighting aircraft, nuclear submarine, missiles, laser bombs, etc. These things of warheads are highly destructive. They can wipe this planet of the existence of mankind.

In addition, scientific inventions and technological advancements have led to the emission of great pollution—air, noise and water. Pollution is a threat to mankind. Global warming is a big challenge to humanity. All these are attributed to the science.

For most of our works, we depend on machine. Machines have lessened our labour. One machine can even work for thousands of persons. It has contributed to the unemployment, which is a burning problem in modern society. It is increasing at a very fast rate. The invention of computer and internet has reduced the time and space. It has made the world smaller but it has also brought unemployment. Internet has contributed to the decline of creativity in human beings. Human beings for their every work depend on computers. Even for smaller calculations or information he seeks the help of computer. We have forgotten manual labour which could keep us physically fit. We do not like to walk on foot for a small distance. We depend on automobiles even to go for a short distance. Thus physical activities have been reduced to minimum leading to spread of life-style diseases like diabetes, heart trouble, obesity, tension, depression, etc. These diseases are fast emerging as big health problems in modern society.

Pollution is a big challenge of modern society. It is said to be started with industrialization. Our industries emit big amount of toxic gases. These gases pollute our environment. The air we take in is polluted. Large number of vehicles adds to the great problem of pollution. The waste materials produced by industries are thrown in rivers and other water sources leading to their pollution. Water pollution poses problem for aquatic life as well as human beings. The fast decline in aquatic species is the result of water pollution.

Science has invented dreaded weapons. The weapons are highly disastrous. They have changed the nature of war. They have made war very dangerous and destructive. Science has also produced gas warfare, bacteriological warfare, and atomic weapons. If these weapons are put to use, they would spell disaster for the entire mankind. The nuclear power plants pose a very serious danger to environment. The leakage in nuclear plant in Chernobyl in Russia spread harmful radiation not only in the country but in neighboring countries also. It led to the death of many animals and humans there. The 1984 gas tragedy of Bhopal claimed thousands of lives. A large number of people were disabled due to the leakage of poisonous gas in a factory.

Thus, science which was very advantageous in the initial age of scientific inventions and discoveries later turned out to be equally disastrous for mankind. It appears that the day is not far when the entire humanity would have to suffer a lot due to the evils of science. The need of the hour is that man should be very rational in the use of scientific inventions and technological advancements. The key to safety and security lies in the hands of man.