Of course science is dangerous. The study of atomic physics very nearly led to nuclear war.<p>> Dangers and ethical issues only arise when science is applied as technology.<p>I mostly disagree with this sentiment. If you're a nuclear physicist, and you publish a paper about the theoretical aspects of fission chain reactions, and realize that they may allow for good things, like nuclear power, and bad things, like nuclear weapons, you have an obligation to consider the consequences of how your research might be applied by others, do the cost-benefit calculation, and decide to publish, or keep your knowledge a secret[0].<p>Of course, in the vast majority of cases (GMOs, medical research, human intelligence, etc., knock yourself out) it's probably better to publish - the benefits far outweigh any costs. But I see no reason why this has to be universally, fundamentally true - maybe there are secrets of the universe too dangerous for publication - knowledge which, if made public, would predictably lead to great destruction.<p>[0]: <a href="http://arxiv.org/html/physics/0207094" rel="nofollow">http://arxiv.org/html/physics/0207094</a>
Leo Slizard is usually credited as the first to come up with the idea of weaponizing nuclear fission. Slizard was in favor of secrecy, Fermi was in favor of publication, and for a while, they kept some of their discoveries a secret. In the hindsight of history, this was probably not necessary, but at least they weighed the consequences and had the debate.