Post date: Dec 4, 2012 4:54:32 PM
I have heard this question from many people in different tones, tried to answer it as scientifically correct as possible and as a result have heard/seen reactions ranging from curiosity & awe, to "how frivolous/ irrelevant things people study"/"what's the use of your research for humans?" I can only smile, shake my head and move on with whatever research I am doing at the moment. I cannot help but list those range of reactions and my silent/open responses to them--:)
Disclaimer: The research I have done so far is basic research in the field of ecology/evolutionary biology/animal behavior and has no immediate application for "betterment of humans"!!
1. Reaction: this is such a waste of public money...so many people are hungry/ill/dying/there is horrible natural calamity and these scientist just waste money on irrelevant things like some random animals and evolution!
My response: (mostly silent) yes, there are all these people suffering so much and I am totally aware of that. I am doing whatever I can (outside my research interests) to help these people. However, humans are not the only animals existing on the planet, so we need to think about other animals too. We DO need to understand how other animals (and life in general) works.
cynical response: Will you also tell that to a NASA scientist/ someone going on moon/mars how irrelevant his achievements are for human kind? Most probably not--because you know how glamorous it is to be going to moon/mars. Never mind that it is not related to betterment of humans or even earth for that matter!
2. Reaction: Are you doing any harm to animals?
My response: I do understand your concern. No, I am not doing any invasive procedures with the animals I am studying. In fact animals get royal treatment and care. If they are not comfortable they will not "behave normally" and that would ruin my research. So I (and most animal behavior scientists) take at most care that the animals they are dealing with are comfortable.
Silent response: I do hear the "animal right activist" in that question. But you will be surprised to know that my animals are well fed and survive better than they would if left in their "natural" environment.
3. Reaction: Is this useful for humans? (this is somewhat milder than earlier reactions)
My response: No and Yes. Even if there is no immediate use of this research for humans who knows how this knowledge of such and such phenomenon may be used in future? All applied science, techniques build on some basic understanding of life/ fundamental principals. Yes, better technology and applications, innovative solutions are necessary but basic research is even more necessary! Apart from building new technology, basic knowledge about how living systems work tell us more about humans too because we are after all part of the picture, related (however distantly) to other living beings.
4. Reaction: hummm--that's interesting! (but not really my cup of tea!)
My response: Thank you! (that's as neutral as it can be, at least there is no negativity!)
5. Reaction: wow! That's cool! What would you do further?
My response: Thank you! I am happy you like my work. It feels really nice when someone understands and appreciates your work.
6. Reaction: Your work is really important, I would like to be part of it.
My response: You are most welcome! (speechless!)
I am quite sure every scientist has heard at least some of these comments/ reactions. I would love to hear what were your responses.