Do You Think The Law Is Being Excessive Here?
By Artemeis
@artemeis (4189)
China
October 22, 2012 11:00pm CST
It is reported that 6 Italian scientists and a former government official has been sentence to 6 years jail over the 2009 earthquake in L'Aquila, Italy. The trial which began since 2011, had alleged that they were responsible for giving false reassurances before the fatal earthquake of 6.3 magnitude killed 309 people.
In my opinion, earthquake is unpredictable and even with the current advancement in science, one can only make an estimation of its occurrence and magnitude. The finding here could let the relevant decide on safety countermeasures to avoid fatalities and reduce unnecessary casualties. However, I don't think the final decision and safety measures have anything to do with the scientists as opposed to the former government official here.
I felt that the judge's sentence is wrong and the scientists are being made scapegoats here. What do you think?
Ref:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20025626
2 responses
@subhojit10 (7375)
• India
23 Oct 12
Thanks a ton for posting this discussion. Well yes i have heard about this news and i find that there was absolutely no need to arrest the scientists and put them behind the bars. Earthquakes are completely uncertain and unpredictable in nature and rather we should applaud the fact the scientists are coming up with a unique device that will help us detect the earthquakes before hand and this is not the way to respect their talent and work.
What say?
1 person likes this
@artemeis (4189)
• China
24 Oct 12
To me earthquake is a natural disaster which is unpredictable like the weather and I felt that the team of scientists could not be blamed if their findings were inaccurate at that time.
In my opinion, this trial should not have taken place at all for one I can see that it will set a precedence where researchers will be held accountable for future inaccuracies in their findings.
Also, researchers will not have the full confidence of revealing their findings and studies due to such reprimands for human errors. I cannot imagine what it will be like then, but one for sure - advancements will definitely be hindered.
@anklesmash (1412)
•
23 Oct 12
I'm not sure because I don't understand the technical aspects of predicting earthquakes so I can't be certain in my opinion on whether the Law is being harsh or not.This is because I can't really tell if the scientists had shown any lack of care or worse negligence. Though the support of the scientists would argue against this,and if this trial had occurred in the UK expert witness testimony would have been the basis for both the defence and prosecution. And if the were found guilty they probably would have a significantly shorter sentence.
@artemeis (4189)
• China
24 Oct 12
In my opinion, predicting earthquake is like predicting the weather and errors are bound to happen. However, earthquakes are much more severe than adverse weather and a release of such news usually would cause people to have anxieties and panics.
With this trial, researchers and scientists will have second thoughts about releasing their findings and results in the future when the law is unpractical and over harsh here. Sure hope the lawmakers know what they are doing here.
