Pulford: Scientists who study the remains of ancient historical figures to learn about their health history need to first ask themselves if their investigation is a legitimate scientific inquiry or is motivated by mere curiosity  An investigation into a private matter such as health history is justified only if it is done for the advancement of scientific knowledge  Varela: You forget that curiosity is the root of scientific inquiry
Many great scientific discoveries were motivated by curiosity alone
contending that Pulford's argument rests on an untenable distinction