Scientific research unfolds in an atmosphere of human diversity, involving people of differing cultures and personalities. Medawar thus stressed the need for gifts like empathy, tolerance, and understanding. He counted these as critical for getting along with older scientists, collaborators, and administrators. Great physical strength, athletic prowess, fleetness of foot, and perfect vision and hearing were not among Sir Peter's indispensable prerequisites for a successful scientific career. Few of the 2.2 million Americans classified as scientists and engineers by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics probably have these traits.
Scientists are ordinary people with varying degrees of physical ability.
But misconceptions persist and have an unfortunate effect in deterring young people with physical and learning disabilities from careers in science. An extensive report by Anne Swanson and Norman Steere, published in the Journal of Chemical Education in 1981, found no basis for this concern. It indicated that people with disabilities pose no greater safety hazard in the classroom, laboratory, or workplace than their able-bodied peers. Few require any special pedagogical techniques. The interest, unfortunately, seldom translates into a career in science.