Professors discuss value of research at global issues forum

MU Chancellor Brady Deaton moderated a forum Tuesday night that featured three professors who discussed the merits of research. They argued that basic research is often more valuable to the community than specific applied research.

The series consists of open, informal forums designed to stimulate discussion of global issues. Previous topics have included the 2004 tsunami in Asia and the historical impact of the Tennessee Scopes monkey trial. Tuesday’s was the sixth forum.

The discussions are held “to identify some of the absolute best thinking here on our campus,” Deaton said at the forum, “and make it available to you: the university, the students and the community at large.”

Tuesday’s panelists were Steven Hoffman, a Curators’ professor of mathematics; Kristin Narfstrom, the Ruth M. Kraeuchi Missouri professor of veterinary ophthalmology; and Randall Prather, Distinguished professor in reproductive biotechnology.

The panelists each briefly discussed their opinions regarding the importance of basic research.

Hoffman spoke of the importance of doing research that may not seem particularly exciting, but may have an effect on something else in the future.

Narfstrom emphasized the importance of doing research with a goal toward contributing something valuable to society.

Prather, for example, is currently pursuing research on pigs to develop genetically identical animals whose organs can be replicated, a process that could one day help humans in need of transplants.

Doug Randall, a biochemistry professor in attendance, brought up the importance of the role of the public in research. He said he felt that people need to be better informed about current undertakings, specifically those high-risk studies that can result in groundbreaking discoveries, but more often end up finding nothing.

The panelists agreed that there are plenty of discoveries left to be made.

“Sometimes, we don’t see where our research is going to go,” Prather said, “It’s a worldwide laboratory that we are all involved in.”