I don’t think the lack of scientists is the issue. The issue is others providing all the engineering and support that scientists need—to survive in the first place, and then to get science done.
If you want to continue your example of sacrificing a child, a more effective proposal would be to have extra children and bond them into near-slavery, taxing them at some high amount so as to support those who do science.
But that would be a real sacrifice, and most would not find the idea pleasing.
I don’t think the lack of scientists is the issue. The issue is others providing all the engineering and support that scientists need—to survive in the first place, and then to get science done.
If you want to continue your example of sacrificing a child, a more effective proposal would be to have extra children and bond them into near-slavery, taxing them at some high amount so as to support those who do science.
But that would be a real sacrifice, and most would not find the idea pleasing.