Law, Science and Technology: Some Reflections

Abstract

The impact of science and technology has been evident in each stage of development of human societies – right from the early Stone Age to this modern age of nuclear, solar, cyber and space technologies. Quite possibly, most ancient civilisations had their share of visionary scientists, of the likes of Aryabhatta, Bharadwaja1, Vararuchi Charaka and Susruta. Long before a Kepler, a Galileo, a Louis Pasteur, or a Graham Bell was ever born in Europe. The modern day revolution in science and technology probably began in 17th and 18th century Europe with each discovery or invention leading to another, giving a fillip to the Industrial Revolution. However, what is scientifically and technologically feasible is not necessarily socially desirable or acceptable. When a society decides to draw the limits it uses law as one of its tools of regulation or prohibition. Yet, law has always been notoriously slow to catch up with the developments in science and technology. Slower it is when the pace of scientific and technological developments is incredibly faster, as is the case with most modern technologies. Interface between law and Science and technology has thrown up issues of ethics, human rights, liability, and evidence or modes of proof, and new categories of crimes. The paper also offers an ambitiously comprehensive syllabus outline for a possible course on the Law, Science and Technology.