It does not necessarily follow that if science can do a thing, it should.  Throughout human history science and commerce have, by necessity, worked together.  Certainly, technical developments have fueled increased business.  However, it is important to look ahead and see what the consequences to our environment may be.  Even if a negative consequence was unknown before, it should be corrected, as much as possible, when it does become known.
          The following is a true story that, kind of, expresses the point that we are trying to make here.  Let us all try not to be like the little old lady.

          In 1970, my wife and I had cause to rent a small apartment on the northeast side of an old German lady’s home.  On a strip of government land between the road and her property grew an old apple tree.  Besides the yearly apple supply, it provided afternoon shade to her living room and our apartment.  The old lady was quick to show off her apple sauce and apple pie.  One day, two boys came down the road and picked two of the apples from the tree, that the old lady had considered being her own personal tree.  In anger, the old lady had the tree immediately cut down.  When my wife and I came back, we saw that the tree was gone.  My wife asked the old lady what had happened to the tree.  She said, “I’m not going to let those boys have any more of my apples.”  My wife said, “Well, how are you going to make your apple pies now?”  The little old lady scowled, then turned and stormed away.  We quickly noticed how much hotter the apartment became without the shade.  As we were moving out, we overheard the little old lady complaining to the man who was installing her air conditioning.  She said, “This isn’t going to raise my light bill, is it?”  The repairman reluctantly said, “Yes it will — but, just a little bit.”  My wife said quietly to me, “Is she in for a surprise!”.

          On Earth, human activity has consequences.  We all need to learn how to cooperate and improve our environment.  After all, our children need, and deserve, a good place to live also.

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