The study and knowledge of the universe would somehow be lame and defective were no practical results to follow.
Marcus Tullius CiceroRead
When results are shared freely amongst the biological community, as has been done for the worm and the Human Genome Projects, specialist scientists can move much more rapidly towards their goals.
Interpretation
Sharing scientific results accelerates progress in research.
This quote emphasizes the importance of open collaboration and data sharing in the scientific community. John Sulston highlights how freely sharing results, such as those from the Human Genome and worm projects, enables scientists to work more efficiently towards their research objectives, fostering innovation and rapid advancements in knowledge.
In practice
In a conference on scientific research, one could use this quote to advocate for more open data initiatives.
The study and knowledge of the universe would somehow be lame and defective were no practical results to follow.
The only useful function of a statistician is to make predictions, and thus to provide a basis for action.
No doubt science cannot admit of compromises, and can only bring out the complete truth. Hence there must be controversy, and the strife may be, and sometimes must be, sharp. But must it even then be personal? Does it help science to attack the man as well as the statement? On the contrary, has not science the noble privilege of carrying on its controversies without personal quarrels?
If you think about the impact of climate change, [it should be how] a doctor would deal with the problem. A scientific hypothesis is tested to absolute destruction, but medicine can't wait. If a doctor sees a child with a fever, he can't wait for [endless] tests. He has to act on what is there. The risk of delay is so enormous that we can't wait until we are absolutely sure the patient is dying.
To invoke the origin of the DNA/protein machine by invoking a supernatural Designer is to explain precisely nothing - for it leaves unexplained the origin of the Designer.
Any scientist who can't explain to an eight-year-old what he is doing is a charlatan.
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