I’ve always been fascinated by how much we can learn from historical data, whether it’s old lab results, failed experiments, or even seemingly insignificant records. But lately, I’ve been wrestling with a question: do we have a moral obligation to preserve everything, even if the data might be misused or cause harm?
On one hand, losing data feels like erasing potential insights or lessons. On the other, some information could be weaponized or misinterpreted, like toxicology studies being repurposed unethically. Where do we draw the line? I’d love to hear how others in science or data-heavy fields approach this especially those who’ve dealt with sensitive or controversial datasets. How do you weigh the value of preservation against the risks?