Bhubaneswar: President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday advised students to maintain humility and a spirit of inquiry, while advising them to regard their knowledge as a social enterprise aimed at societal and national development. Speaking at the 13th graduation day of National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) here, the president gave emphasis on the dual-edged nature of scientific progress where the benefits of new technological developments are often accompanied by significant ethical and social challenges.Murmu, who is on the last day of her four-day visit to the state, also asked the students to follow a cautious and balanced approach in life.
“Along with the boon of science, there is always the danger of its curse. Today, very rapid changes are taking place in the field of science and technology. New technological developments are providing capabilities to human society, but at the same time, they are also creating new challenges for humanity,” she said expressing confidence that NISER graduates would excel in their respective fields while fulfilling their social responsibilities with accountability.
Drawing from Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy, she highlighted one of the seven social sins, merciless science, emphasizing that scientific advancements devoid of human sensitivity are detrimental. She urged the students to internalize this message and incorporate it into their professional and personal lives.
Murmu cited CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technology as a notable example of how technology has raised both ethical and social issues. “Like CRISPR-Cas9 has made gene editing very easy. While it offers potential solutions for numerous incurable diseases, it simultaneously raises complex ethical and social dilemmas. Similarly, advances in Generative Artificial Intelligence bring about issues like deep fakes and regulatory challenges, necessitating a cautious and balanced approach,” she said.
Acknowledging the often lengthy and arduous journey of fundamental scientific research, the president encouraged the graduates to persevere despite potential setbacks. “Many a times breakthroughs have been achieved after facing disappointment for many years. You may go through such a phase at times when your patience is tested. But you should never be discouraged,” she said, adding that such advancements in fundamental science often lead to substantial benefits across various domains.

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