• Question: Hi its Molly here, I would just like to thank you for the information you gave me and it has encouraged me a lot. I would like to ask what the hardest job you have had to deal. Why did you find it hard and was it upsetting.Do you ever have to deal with children. Hope you all of the best and thanks again, Molly

    Asked by mollymurs17 to Hitesh, Nik, Tiffany on 21 Jun 2012.
    • Photo: Tiffany Taylor

      Tiffany Taylor answered on 21 Jun 2012:

      Hi Molly! I’m really glad you’ve been encouraged by us. I hope you realise you’re not that only ones who have learnt things here, I’ve learnt LOADS from “I’m a scientist” over the past few days!

      But to answer your question, I don’t deal with the clinical side, so I don’t think I have it as hard as Nik when it comes to dealing with people or children. I was once faced with the decision as whether I wanted to test my bacteria on mice, which would involve hurting quite a few mice, and finally killing them. I knew I would find this too difficult, even though I understand the necessity for animal testing, it’s just something I’m not brave enough to do myself. So I said I was happy with my experiment the way it was and if other scientists felt they would like to follow it up with a mouse model, then they would be welcome – but I would leave the experiment there.

      There is a lot of understanding for things like that where I work.

    • Photo: Nicola Ibberson

      Nicola Ibberson answered on 22 Jun 2012:

      I find it hard to give results on the unborn babies, definitely. Sometimes they are being tested for diseases that will not affect them perhaps until their 50’s or 60’s so they could have a long and happy life until that point, but the family may choose to end the pregnancy if the baby is affected. That can be hard, but then you can’t really pass judgement when it isn’t you in that position.

      I also find it very difficult when we diagnose a baby with one of the diseases that may cause very early death, for example a disease called Spinal Muscular Atrophy. It’s tough, but is made easier by the fact that scientists don’t deal directly with the patients.

      I’m really pleased you’ve found the info useful, it’s been really great for us scientists too (if not a little terrifying with the voting out and all that!). Good luck in the future with whatever you choose to do 🙂

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