Lately it seems as though the scientific method is becoming less subjective and less theory-based in its formalities. Here is another example of how scientists plan on going straight to the source starting at the womb of a woman.

In this NY Times article, it claims that there will be a 21-year project on the study of children from the day they are in the mother’s womb to the day they turn 21. This is a $2.7 billion project that intends to study 100,000 children from 105 different countries to cover all ethnicities. The point of this project is to “find explanations for the rising rates of premature births, childhood cancer, obesity, autism and endocrine disorders and behavioral problems.” Investigators will study different environment factors and exposures to different things such as particular diets, etc. A ‘pre-test’ has already begun in 2001 from NY to CA, observing 1,500 individuals.

Even though many people feel like it is finally time to do this study, there are many skeptics who believe that the cost of this project is not worth the investment, especially in the economic situation we are currently suffering. I agree that we have reached a level of technology that makes us prepared  for such a study, but I must agree that this is not particularly the right time to be investing such amount of money. They should probably wait until we’re all financially stable once again. Agree/Disagree?

I am also skeptical as to whether or not they will really keep track of the massive amounts of data they intend to collect. I mean, as an IE I’ve had my fair share of dealing with data (ugh..) and I know it may be easy to collect data, but it’s not easy to keep track of it and interpret from statistical analysis. All I’m saying is that 21 years is A LOT of data, and I just think that some of the millions of dollars might be flushed down the drain because of this. Agree/Disagree?

And if this is really a 21-year project, it will take them at least another 5 years to come up with all the final results and compile everything into one huge database, and final Census reports. So say this takes about 25-30 years to even begin to see some results, I’ll be 47-52 years old with kids all grown up, so why should I invest my tax money on this issue, even though I wouldn’t have much of a choice. I know that sounds a bit selfish but c’mon…52-yrs old? That’s old!

Anyway if you’d like to see the article view the tag or click here