Technology and human knowledge are constantly evolving and changing. The restrictions placed on these technological advancements only hinder the exponential growth of scientific fields. Human nature and morality naturally inhibit the exploration of areas of research that are harmful to humans or society as a whole. The benefits of unrestricted technology far outweigh any potential drawbacks of such a system. The development and progress of science should be largely free. Restrictions on technology and science have only slowed human progress and scientific development. In medieval Europe, restrictions on scientific endeavors by the Church, along with the systematic persecution of scientists and inventors, not only slowed the advancement of human knowledge, but arguably reversed it. The Church feared any science that contradicted the ideology set forth by its religion. Advances in medicine were limited due to Church restrictions on the study of human anatomy by dissection (White). The Church also placed restrictions on the translation of Hippocrates' medicinal texts due to his pagan views. Without sufficient knowledge of the human body, doctors were unable to properly treat patients or develop new techniques to cure the sick. Many great minds were persecuted, such as Galileo, who put forward ideas about the solar system we live in that contradicted the views of the Church (Linder) (Pogge). A more modern example of restricting technological progress presents itself once again in the field of medicine. Stem cell research was affected by the Clinton and Bush administrations, which limited research using human embryos. Most restrictions involved limiting...... middle of document ...... the threat of self-destruction is a sufficient restriction that governments or other organizations do not need to intervene. Works Cited Federal Politics. In Stem Cell Information [World Wide Web Site]. Bethesda, MD: National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services, 2011 [cited Monday February 24, 2014] Available from Linder, Doug. “The Trial of Galileo Galileo”. Famous essays. No. Web.Orf, Darren. “10 Stunning Accidental Discoveries.” Popular mechanics. Np, and Web. 2014. Pogge, Richard. “Lesson 16.” Astronomy. No. Web.Encyclopedia Britannica Editors. “Manhattan Project”. Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Web.White, Andrew. “A History of the War Between Science and Theology in Christendom.” . No. Web.