Love, Compassion and Service- the limit of science.

I was talking to one of my friends recently. Having several acquaintances grappling with cancer, she questioned, “Why we do not have a cure for cancer? Science has advanced so far, still…we are far from a remedy.” Cancer is elusive; and, indeed, has defied most human efforts. Or… don’t we have resilience to challenge this “emperor of all maladies”? Or, do we lack the commitment, compassion and mindset for a solution?

Recent reports question our convictions to ease human agonies. FDA approved 45 new drugs in 2015 with 14 for treating various cancers. Most of these drugs come with six-figure list annual price for treatment. One of the drugs (Kanuma from Alexion Pharmaceuticals) was brought to the market by FDA’s blessings at an accelerated pace. This drug was given orphan, breakthrough and priority review statuses. Still, the tag price for the annual supply is a whopping $310,000- really?? Where’s the love, compassion and service embodied in science? Why do we want to accelerate drug discovery in the first place if we cannot access or afford its benefits?

In another report American Science Congress found nothing wrong in modifying the DNA of the human egg prior to in-vitro fertilization. Whatever proponents argue, it is unethical; it is against nature and bound to carry unintended consequences to human race. If implemented, we are not far from “multi-mom”, “super” and “Tailor-made” babies. This, at least, is not one of the areas scientists should invest their time, resources and talents. Re-route the energy to cut the cost of those “lifesaving” and “breakthrough” drugs so that we could afford them.

Federal government today lifted the moratorium on the ban funding some controversial experiments that challenge our ethical convictions. The new policy allow scientists access federal funding to develop animal embryos with human stem cells. Where are we going? Animals with human brain? Animal-human hybrid? Sheep, pigs and cows with human heart?  The public has 30 days to comment on the proposed policy at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/rfi/rfi.cfm?ID=57

If the science is not doing any justice to humanity and nature, it ceases to be science. The limit of science should be love, compassion and service. I have stumbled upon one of the limbs of ashtange yoga – Dharana. The best cognizant visual for dharana is the “freedom of movement” of a cow tied to its neck and a peg. The resistance of the peg reminds the cow the realm and they know it and will never try to get out of the area. (This is hard to imagine in this part of the world, where cows have acres of land to graze. I am talking about the villages in developing countries with limited land to live. An invisible fence may be more relevant here. )

I wish scientists set a similar boundary; a boundary of service from love and compassion- a dharana on our existence. Then, everything will fall in place.

Love to hear from you.

Jay