I feel the problem with our scientific research is that it continually requires funding... and funds are hard to come by. Govt wont sink cash into something that doesnt benefit them and big business would if they can name it after them (and they get lots of money out of it)
"the McDonalds obesity diminishing pill"
as for the state of the planet, well it will always be on a downwards slide, its just a matter of how fast it slides. industry will continue to produce (and pollute) as long as theres a demand (and there will always be a demand). We will continue to log forests, desertification will continue unimpeded, the rich will get richer and the poor will get poorer...
and on that note... wouldnt it be great if every car manufactured came out with 25 airbags, ABS, traction control, little cameras in the rear so you can see what you are reversing over, top notch security systems, GPS and other safety aids?
Why is it that the only people who are allowed to be safe on the road are those with alot of money while the rest of us "suffer" in old non-roadworthy bombs (worst case scenario) or base model new cars that if you are lucky might have an airbag for the driver.
it seems its only the rich who can afford to be safe.
we need a "star trek" ecconomy now.
