Quote by John Charles Polanyi
Instead, in the absence of respect for human rights, science and its offspring technology have been used in this century as brutal instruments for oppression.
Summary
This quote suggests that when there is a lack of respect for human rights, science and technology can be misused as powerful tools of oppression. Instead of being utilized for progress, they have been wielded in a brutal and oppressive manner throughout the 20th century. This implies that the misuse of these advancements has contributed to the suffering and suppression of individuals rather than benefiting mankind.