Knowledge Claim: Shared scientific knowledge is more important than an individual’s well-being.

Real-life Example: Genie was a 13-year-old feral child when she was discovered by the police from her family home. She was taken away from her parents to live with scientists to do researches and help her develop basic abilities such as linguistic ability. However, her living mother took the guardianship back just to put her in a state care facility as she failed to take care of her after attempting it for one month.

TOK Analysis: The knowledge presented in Genie’s case is expressed through extensive scientific researches and news reporting before it is deemed illegal to do so. We consider Genie’s mum’s legal action extremely selfish as the influence of Genie if scientists could’ve studied her for a longer period of time would’ve been significantly higher. Also, she probably would have a better environment to develop basic skills under scientists’ care rather than the state care home. The benefit of earning scientific knowledge significantly outweighs the well-being of mostly Genie’s mother in this case.