Final answer:
Galvanism is linked to Frankenstein due to themes of reanimation echoing Luigi Galvani's experiments. The ethics of galvanism as a scientific practice is complex and depends on contemporary ethical standards and research contexts. Galvani's findings have both historical significance and relevance to modern discussions on the limits of medical science.
Step-by-step explanation:
Galvanism is compared to Frankenstein because the novel features the reanimation of dead tissue, akin to Luigi Galvani's experiments that involved electrically stimulating the muscles of dead frogs. Galvani's work also inspired a central theme in Frankenstein: the ambition to conquer death itself through science. The question of whether galvanism is an ethical scientific practice can evoke varied responses, largely depending on current ethical standards and the context in which such experiments are performed.
The Italian scientist Luigi Galvani discovered what we now refer to as bioelectromagnetics, conducting experiments that demonstrated the presence of electricity within living tissue. Although in that era, such experiments were groundbreaking and contributed to the understanding of physiology and the development of medical devices such as the battery by Alessandro Volta, modern ethical standards may question the treatment of animals in scientific research.
Additionally, the implications of galvanism raised in Frankenstein touch upon the ethical considerations concerning the limits of science. Victor Frankenstein's pursuit of creating life parallels the alchemists' goals, relevant to discussions on medical research boundaries, especially in areas like cloning and genetic manipulation. However, it should be noted that ethical standards evolve, and practices considered acceptable in the past may not be deemed ethical today.