For several years now, I have specialized in communicating various biomedical research findings to scientists. I have seen firsthand the astonishingly creative and immensely productive uses researchers find for our growing understanding of all aspects of biological science. Researchers in Texas and elsewhere are far along in a project to express antigens from pathogenic organisms in edible plants, so that people might eat the plants, and thereby acquire immunity from the pathogens.
Atomic physics is only the most dramatic example.
My experience over the years is that bringing this subject up among scientists gets about the same reaction as making a rude noise at a fancy dinner party. I've posted this message on a few biological science newsgroups. I am trying to organize some thoughts on this subject, and I'd like to hear from anyone with an informed opinion on it, either by direct e-mail or public postings to this space.