the scientist's attention generic meaning

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ostap77

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Could I use the definite article to convey generic meaning?

"Never before has this problem attracted the scientist's attention." meaning many scientists' attention?
 
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freezeframe

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Could I use the definite article to convey generic meaning?

"Never before has this problem attracted the scientist's attention." meaning many scientists' attention?

No. Your sentence reads like it's talking about some specific scientist.

"... attracted the attention of scientists".
 
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