PINCUS GREGORY: (1903-1967) American Biologist, co-inventor of the combined oral contraceptive pill.

PINCUS GREGORY: (1903-1967) American Biologist, co-inventor of the combined oral contraceptive pill.
PINCUS GREGORY: (1903-1967) American Biologist, co-inventor of the combined oral contraceptive pill. Manuscript D.S., Gregory Pincus, one page, 4to, n.p., September 1954. Pincus responds to a researcher's questionnaire regarding the destiny and the task of the scientist, with their questions at the head of the page, 1. What does the destiny of the scientist in modern society seem to you to be? 2. Within what limits do you place his task and how do you conceive his own life? 3. What can his reaction be before a discovery he has made which might contribute to the progress and happiness of humanity, or which might result in its destruction? 4. Do you think the scientist should collaborate with the technician to put his discovery into practice? Pincus provides his answers immediately beneath, in part, '1) The role of the scientist, like that of all scholars, is the discovery of the truth. His particular realm of inquiry is the physical universe, and since an understanding of this universe has afforded and will continue to afford the means for its employment for useful ends the scientist has become and will continue to be an essential part of modern society - unless indeed that society destroys itself completely. 2) The basic function of the scientist is to lay bare the fundamental relationships governing the behaviour of matter, living and dead. By and large this involves the careful, accurate measurement of almost innumerable phenomena…….3) Discovery is the least important aspect of a scientist's task. His objective is not to hop from discovery to discovery, but to present an orderly analysis of phenomena. All discoveries may have beneficent or destructive effects depending upon the method of their application and the culture pattern of the society in which they are used. Thus the discovery of a virus may lead to its control as an agent of a disease or its use in ''biological warfare''……… 4) Yes, whenever such collaboration does not detract too much from his basic activities'. VG