Narrow minded or am I asking too much?

[OmNomNom]

You seem to be forgetting, or missing on purpose, the fact that there is NOTHING new in the research this guy wants to do. Sort of like apples and cumquats, neh?

Well, not exactly, I'm just not sure _what_ he wants to do. Which is why I've been emphasizing to the OP at least, that he needs to have a specific plan and rationale, and demonstrate that what he's doing actually will bring something new to the field. I agree if all he's proposing is to characterize bacteria in their mouths then it's not very novel. I was trying to encourage him to come up with a more descriptive proposal that _would_ have some benefit.

The aside arguments about the responsibility of scientists to be, well, responsible are just asides.

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Myself... after listening to the 'scientists' on this thread, I have no desire to accommodate ANY study or research regarding my animals ever. If this is how scientists think of 'us, the general public', then I have no desire to assist them in any way.

*raises hand*

I don't think that way!