Scientific and technological research has always been the main engine of the development of nations. The fields of scientific and technological research involve all aspects of knowledge of the world around us and have no limits. Its applications, then, are regulated by the rules that each society gives itself in relation to the progress of knowledge. Future research developments may affect participation in the research itself. After participating in the development of the atomic bomb Robert Oppenheimer turned away from research.

The studies on the H bomb were carried out by Edward Teller who did not raise any moral doubts.

To give a global frame of reference, in 2001 Unesco established the International Science Day for Peace and Development. The anniversary is celebrated on November 10 each year, with the aim of highlighting the role of science in society. However, this celebration fails to shake our consciences. Scientific research and technology in the military continues its growth. In 2021, military spending increased dramatically to reach 2 trillion. The United States spends 778 billion, 39% of global spending. The war industry obviously creates jobs and wealth for its industries. We may be against it, but it is as if the theme of this land suffering from climate change, epidemics, hunger, inequality has no value, but it will present us with a heavy bill.

This we are witnessing is also a war of modernity. Artificial intelligence is present with both hands. We know everything since Ukraine began to be surrounded. It was possible to recognize the generals at the front through their voices. The names of all the soldiers present in the Bucha area are known. Even a small nation has been able to use the new technologies in an unequal armed confrontation. We have not forgotten the role of science in the Covid pandemic. The speed with which the anti Covid vaccines were designed, manufactured and approved by the regulatory authorities did not make us understand what scientific and organizational difficulties have been overcome. Scientific and technological research in the biomedical field is making fundamental progress in the biological sciences and in the treatment of diseases and, together with artificial intelligence, it is bringing medicine and treatments closer to citizens. The knowledge process takes time. But if we look at the genetics and technologies developed to sequence the genome, the results have been astounding. In 2001, with the Human Genome Project coordinated by the American government and the one carried out by Craig Venter, it was possible to read human DNA for the first time.Today, 20 years after the presentation of the first draft, the complete sequencing of the entire genome arrives human. In other words, it means reading and interpreting it. Biomedical research will have this powerful tool at its disposal and will open research to personalized medicine. Anyone will be able to compare the DNA of his patient with the one now sequenced, which we could indicate as the reference genome, to discover the genetic alterations. This is science for life versus science for war.

Antonio Barracca

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