An exception to the theory that "Safety is properly a goal of progress" is the research and development for the military. One could argue that guns, tanks, and drones are begin developed to protect the citizens of the country but by causing harm to the opposing faction. I guess it could be rephrased as " Safety of the consumer/user/beneficiary is a goal of progress". It is pedantic at best. The development of nuclear weapons opens a whole new can of worms, where one can argue that each country must develop the weapons for its own security. In either case, as you mentioned risks of these technologies must be determined and mutually agreed upon as policy in a democratic setup (which includes technocrats, politicians, and civil society) before proceeding with development.
Very well written.
An exception to the theory that "Safety is properly a goal of progress" is the research and development for the military. One could argue that guns, tanks, and drones are begin developed to protect the citizens of the country but by causing harm to the opposing faction. I guess it could be rephrased as " Safety of the consumer/user/beneficiary is a goal of progress". It is pedantic at best. The development of nuclear weapons opens a whole new can of worms, where one can argue that each country must develop the weapons for its own security. In either case, as you mentioned risks of these technologies must be determined and mutually agreed upon as policy in a democratic setup (which includes technocrats, politicians, and civil society) before proceeding with development.