> It's interesting to realize that it did require human experimentation in order to discover, though.
Yeah, in hindsight it is, but if we try to remember history of pretty much every discovery — it all actually required some human experimentation. Everything starts from accidentally noticing something — something unknown and thus potentially risky. I remember how funny it sounded back then in school when somebody was telling about Volta checking if there is electricity by putting wires in his own ears. Because, — yeah, who does that! — right? But back then there was no other way to tell! (Of course voltage must have been really low, but still, I find it quite demonstrative.)
I like to think that this actually is the essence of science: doing apparently stupid things and foolishly risking even your own health because of sheer curiosity.
Yeah, in hindsight it is, but if we try to remember history of pretty much every discovery — it all actually required some human experimentation. Everything starts from accidentally noticing something — something unknown and thus potentially risky. I remember how funny it sounded back then in school when somebody was telling about Volta checking if there is electricity by putting wires in his own ears. Because, — yeah, who does that! — right? But back then there was no other way to tell! (Of course voltage must have been really low, but still, I find it quite demonstrative.)
I like to think that this actually is the essence of science: doing apparently stupid things and foolishly risking even your own health because of sheer curiosity.