Don't let people discourage you. It's hard for a young person to make such a big commitment, but being in a lab is important to see if science is what you want to do. If not, you're limiting yourself to conventional paths and thoughts about science. The truth is not carved in stone, but evolves as the latest experiments reveal new information. If you put your mind to it, you can basically go after any question.
Science is a tremendously exciting place to be right now.
Then when some of your experiments don't work, you still know you are aiming at something worthwhile. It's more important than all your talents, all your knowledge.