Surely one of the most threadbare plot ideas which goes back over nearly two centuries is:

Lone Mad Scientist invents/creates/discovers something which is intended to amaze the world and bring him fame and wealth as well as final recognition from all his past critics that he is not "a crackpot" after all. Only to find what he creates become uncontrolable and nearly destroys every thing before finally turning on him.

The from Frankenstein all the way through to Jurassic Park cliche, used time and time again by people with unscientific minds to try and warn scientists off from messing with things that the common folk think should not be messed with.

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Note 1. All requests for planetary demolition must now be submitted in quadruplicate on form UX-565/B4 and be counter-signed by the assistant administrative officer for interstellar traffic calming - department QG-7. Subject to approval by the chief planning officer and the infrastructure development coordination sub-committee.