11 Scientists Killed or Injured by Their Own Experiments

re: 11 Scientists Killed or Injured by Their Own Experiments

tvf — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 22:01:37 GMT

There is also the true experience of Dr. John Hunter, an 18th century British anatomist, and founder of the Hunterian Museum of anatomical conditions and oddities. During his study of the natural history of syphilis, he injected himself with the organism and carefully detailed his own experiences and syptoms. He died a horrible death as a result of the untreated disease.

re: 11 Scientists Killed or Injured by Their Own Experiments

Globall — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 23:15:53 GMT

Rett - that was the most rambling post I have ever read. Entertaining nonetheless. Talk about jumping from one subject to the next. You reminded me of Abe Simpson talking about walking birds for thanksgiving and wearing onions on his belt!

re: 11 Scientists Killed or Injured by Their Own Experiments

Rett — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 20:23:43 GMT

Could it have been ignorant curiosity? Many 'discoveries' have been made by ignorant curiosities but do they benefit the human condition? From my side of the fence, ignorance is another name for innocence. The innocent would not be aware of consequence. I see it as an extreme curiosity that lead to a discovery. That discovery was the result of death and injury. But I'm a complete ignorant so what do I know about anything. :) Hugs from Florida

re: 11 Scientists Killed or Injured by Their Own Experiments

aemit — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 19:33:42 GMT

About Galileo, I wonder how it is possible to "stare into the sun" for hours and why that is fascinating but then we are all unique, eh?

re: 11 Scientists Killed or Injured by Their Own Experiments

hilly7 — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 04:34:32 GMT

Swami Barmi, lol, I second that.

re: 11 Scientists Killed or Injured by Their Own Experiments

Dr. Dancer — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 00:26:53 GMT

Some simply are enthralled and excited by discovery. I wish the sense of wonder and the joy of discovery could be elevated to it's proper place in our classrooms.

re: 11 Scientists Killed or Injured by Their Own Experiments

ExJohnson — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 23:50:31 GMT

All the other scientists in the room survived the Slotin accident. Some people say his quick reaction to remove the top berylium sphere saved their lives, and others say he shouldn't have used a screwdriver to dislodge them in the first place. Such use of the tool was "against experimental protocol." I had heard how an exposure to radiation in one room during that time period killed everyone in the room(not instantly) and the head scientist made everyone stand still so that he could mark their position on the floor, so that future researchers would understand radiation, exposure, distances, that sort of thing. Short perusal online gives me no answers. Anyone know if this is fiction or not?

re: 11 Scientists Killed or Injured by Their Own Experiments

elainel — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 16:42:40 GMT

I think ther'e a lesson to be gained from this. But I disagree with Mercola's "Gaining knowledge often comes with a price … but without a few brave people willing to push the limits, society as we know it would not be the same." I think that the lesson is that no matter how skilled you are, think hard about what you propose to do and do it in the safest way possible. Even though they may have had no way of knowing the dangers of their experiments, it strikes me that most of these scientists were just not careful enough. It has been known since the beginning of eating and medicating--don't taste strange substances and watch what the animals eat. Chemists and alchemists have always been subjected to explosions and know they need to be protected. Slotin had an accident, but surely he well knew the dangers and was not working in a sufficiently safe way. Even Curie knew enought about radium to be more careful, although perhaps not enought to have prevented the leukemia. Galileo must have felt discomfort and pain when he looked at the sun and known that was not good for his eyes. The balloonist took a calculated risk and lost. Sorry, I don't think they were brave. My conclusion: don't do your experiments this way!

re: 11 Scientists Killed or Injured by Their Own Experiments

Mammal — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 16:26:52 GMT

Can you say "safety glasses"?

re: 11 Scientists Killed or Injured by Their Own Experiments

Cass_203 — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 14:42:02 GMT

Hmmm...I wonder what eventually happened to the other scientists in the room with Slotin?

re: 11 Scientists Killed or Injured by Their Own Experiments

Swami Barmi — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:01:11 GMT

This may sound rude, but sometimes it think it might be nice if the odd politician or two were killed or injured from their experiments.

re: 11 Scientists Killed or Injured by Their Own Experiments

triciamc — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:39:02 GMT

These guys are to be admired for their dedication to their professions. However, they chose to expose themselves. I didn't and get exposed anyway.