Scientific Progress and Criminal Law

Abstract

The twentieth century is exceptional in the entire history of mankind for the rate of development of the natural sciences and technology. This century began as the century of electricity. However, it has since become the age of atomic energy, cybernetics, the conquest of outer space, and molecular biology. There is no need to speak of the blessings that this truly breath-taking development of technology and the natural sciences has brought, and is bringing, to mankind. However, it also brings dangers. "Let us not … flatter ourselves too much about our triumphs over nature. For each such victory, it takes vengeance upon us. True, each of these victories has, at the outset, the consequences we counted on; but later it has entirely different, unforeseen consequences, which very often destroy the significance of the first ones." (1)