1 The Food of the Gods Reflection Paper Melany Beltran Developmental Biology 2 Introduction In “The Food of the Gods and How It Came to Earth,” H.G. Wells explores the moral implications of conducting scientific experiments through the story of two scientists, Mr. Bensington and Dr. Redwood, who accidentally create a revolutionary substance named Herakleophorbia IV, popularly known as Boomfood. Consumption of this chemical has the unusual capacity to speed up growth in organisms (Wells). The story grows, taking us deeper into the moral dilemmas these researchers face as they consider the repercussions of their findings. Dr.RedRedwood is initially motivated by scientific curiosity and the desire for notoriety. In contrast, Dr. Bensington is more interested in possible applications of Herakleophorbia IV in addressing feeding the disadvantaged and improving living conditions. Our protagonists give much thought to ethical issues, but their perspectives change as the story progresses. At first, they think about how their finding will help others. As Herakleophorbia IV’s effects become more apparent, they must face the ethical dilemmas of changing the natural order of things. Ethical Guidelines in Biological Researches The development of current ethical rules for biological research can be traced back to when Nazi human experimentation was uncovered at the Nuremberg Trials during World War II. 1947 saw the birth of the Nuremberg Code, directly fueled by the wartime atrocities (Czech, 2018). Ethical oversight gained prominence due to the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, which took place in the United States from 1932 to 1972. Evolving alongside the expansion of knowledge in biology, ethical principles now play a crucial role in scientific research. The formation of IRBs in the mid-20th century was a significant step in guaranteeing the moral treatment of research subjects. The Helsinki Declaration and the subsequent 1979 Belmont Report helped further define ethical principles and strengthen protections for research subjects. A wide range 3 of institutions are responsible for establishing and implementing these standards, like the WHO and UNESCO, which play crucial roles (D’Amato, 2020). Ethical regulation receives help from government agencies and trade groups. The persistence of ethical violations demonstrates problems with regulation and compliance. Conclusion “The Food of the Gods and How It Came to Earth” sheds light on the moral questions raised by scientific experiments. Herakleophorbia IV presents challenges for Mr. Bensington and Dr. Redwood, who were motivated by curiosity and the pursuit of development. Ethical choices in science are intricate because of numerous variables. These historical events illustrate how ethical standards have evolved in biological research, specifically in response to abhorrent occurrences like the Nuremberg Trials and Tuskegee Syphilis Study. All research efforts should undergo a rigorous ethical screening before being deemed successful. Finally, Wells’ depiction of ethical issues in his work serves as a reminder that the discussion of ethics in scientific and scholarly activity is a continuing and essential task (YouTube, 2020). It is more important than ever to defend ethical norms, protect the rights of study participants, and encourage a culture of responsible inquiry. 4 References Czech, H., Druml, C., & Weindling, P. (2018). Medical Ethics during 70 Years after the Nuremberg Code, 1947. Wiener klinische Wochenschrift, 130, 159-253. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00508-018-1343-y D’Amato, M., Bodner, M., Butler, J., Gusmão, L., Linacre, A., Parson, W., … & Carracedo, A. (2020). Ethical publication of research based genetics and genomics of biological material: guidelines and recommendations. Forensic Science International: Genetics, 48, 102299. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsigen.2020.102299 Wells H.G. The Food of gods, chapter four – The Giant Children. Chapter the Fourth – The Giant Children. (n.d.). https://americanliterature.com/author/hg-wells/book/the-foodof-the-gods/chapter-the-fourth-the-giant-children YouTube. (2020, July 26). Why research needs ethics. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kA1dL6NqVyw Giant flying wasp The novel’s depiction of a huge flying wasp raises serious questions when seen through the perspectives of biology and physics. The enormous weta and the Goliath beetle are just two examples of giant insects seen in the real world, but neither of these creatures comes close to the proportions portrayed in the novel. To begin, we hit a wall at the square-cube law. The volume and weight of an object grow considerably quicker than its surface area when the wasp’s size grows. This behavior is biologically significant as it increases the strain on an insect’s exoskeleton as it tries to carry the animal’s weight. It will not be easy to fly because of the 5 higher energy required for generating lift from the proportionally enormous wings required by the additional weight. The story also needs to describe the physiological modifications necessary for such an organism to survive. It is possible that the insect would have to undergo significant changes to its respiratory, circulatory, and musculoskeletal systems for it to grow to the size mentioned. These modifications must deal with oxygen diffusion, circulation, and flight dynamics. 1 Personal Reflection: Developmental Biology Melany Beltran Departmental Biology PCB 4253 09/27/2023 2 Personal Reflection: Developmental Biology People with disabilities often experience various difficulties, especially regarding how they manage their routine activities. Besides this, they experience stereotyping, discrimination, stigma, and isolation due to their disabilities (Marini, 2017). The course materials provide a detailed analysis of the history of the attitudes and treatment of people living with disabilities. This personal reflection highlights the attitudes of society towards people living with disabilities, as presented in the course materials. Overview of the Course Materials H.G Wells explores the impact of scientific experimentation on nature in his book, The Food of the Gods. The author narrates how two scientists performed scientific experiments to develop a new growth agent for food. The impacts of this experiment included the transformation of various species and the development of giant animals and people. At the core of the story is how people in the society reacted to these transformations, particularly the giant people. The novel was written in 1904. Therefore, it provides a framework for assessing the history of the attitudes and treatment of people with disabilities. The Attitudes of Various Villagers Caddles is the protagonist in H.G. Wells’s novel. Like other creatures and humans, Caddles is one of the victims of the uncontrolled scientific experiment. Unlike normal kids, he is heavily built, making him a giant. He experiences various negative comments and life experiences for being odd. For instance, Vicar is full of fear when interacting with Caddles. In a limited way, the Vicar had an imagination—at any rate, the remains of one—and with young Caddles, it took the line of developing the huge possibilities of personal 3 injury such vast muscles must possess. Suppose a sudden madness—! Suppose a mere lapse into disrespect—! (Wells, 1904b). Lady Wondershoot is full of prejudice towards Caddles. According to Wells (1904a), Lady Wondershoot perceives Caddles as dishonest and inconceivably incapable of responsibility. Lady Wondershoot liked bullying Caddles. Caddles was her ideal lower-class person: dishonest, faithful, abject, industrious, and inconceivably incapable of responsibility. (Wells, 1904a). The Impact of These Experiences on Caddle’s Life According to Marin (2017), the negative life experiences of people with disabilities affect the quality of their lives in that it may cause psychological issues like depression, anxiety, and self-doubt. For instance, Caddles grew up believing that he was different from others. He asks his mother why he is constantly subjected to heavy work. The negativity sparked hatred towards the British army, resulting in a war. The war led to the death of several riflemen and Caddles. How People with Physical Differences Were Treated in the Past The novel also points out how people with disabilities and physical differences were treated at the time of publication; with ambivalence, intolerance, and ignorance regarding disability (Wells, 1904b). Caddles would have been treated with dignity and respect despite his physical differences in modern-day American society. With modern technology and resources, Caddles would have made a significant contribution to developmental biology by helping experts understand how organisms grow. For instance, many people with acromegaly have come out to help others through the journey of healing (Norvatis, 2016). The field of departmental biology would have helped experts understand how his organs and cells grow. 4 Conclusion The novel The Food of the Gods, by H.G. Wells, maps the issues affecting people with physical differences. The author featured Caddles, a giant who experiences various forms of hate, negativity, prejudice, and discrimination. These experiences shape his life negatively, leading to his death. The novel illuminates the social evils these people face. 5 References Marini, I. (2011). The History of Treatment Toward People With Disabilities. In Psychosocial aspects of disability: Insider perspectives and strategies for counselors (2nd ed., p. 2017). Springer Publishing Company. Norvatis. (2016). Voices of the Acromegaly Community: Putting the Spotlight on a Rare Disease [YouTube Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wY8iGyf9Au4 Wells, H.G. (1904a). The Food of Gods_ Chapter the First – The Coming of the Food. https://americanliterature.com/author/hg-wells/book/the-food-of-the-gods/book-iichapter-the-first-the-coming-of-the-food Wells, H.G. (1904b). The Food of Gods_ Chapter the Second – The Brat Gigantic. https://americanliterature.com/author/hg-wells/book/the-food-of-the-gods/chapter-thesecond-the-brat-gigantic
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