Serendipity

   Serendipity is defined as the development or occurrence of events by chance in a beneficial way. Serendipity is a very important theme in many different aspects of our lives today. There are many instances of serendipity in our daily lives. One example of the times when serendipity occurs with significant results is in scientific research. There are times when scientists are researching that they achieve results which vary from the expected conclusion. These conclusions are often credited to the individual who serendipitously achieved them.  There is some controversy on whether this recognition is deserved. Some believe that it is not deserved because of the serendipitous nature in which they were achieved, while others believe that the recognition is deserved because the serendipity was cultivated by their preparation and process of research.

In my opinion, recognition gained from discoveries made through serendipity is justified because of the work that has to go into research on a topic. Scientists put a lot of work into research, which cultivates the ideal conditions for serendipity to occur. Discoveries made through serendipity are usually in areas where prior research has been done. An example of this is the discovery of penicillin. Before penicillin was discovered, Alexander Fleming was actively in search for an anti-bacterial agent to help soldiers who were dying due to sepsis and other bacterial infections. In his research into anti-bacterial agents, he accidentally left cultures of staphylococci stacked together and discovered that one of the cultures that was infected by a fungus had killed all the bacteria around it. This was the serendipitous discovery of the world’s first antibiotic, which revolutionized medicine.

Serendipity can be in many different contexts. One example is the accidental discovery of a significant product such as penicillin. Another context may be in the discovery of a more efficient way of researching through trial and error. This can result in serendipitously finding a better way to do research. These examples of serendipity show exactly how important it is to us today, and the recognition those who achieve great discoveries through serendipity deserve.