Science and Technology

Science and Technology Justin Larson University of Phoenix, Axia College

Science and Technology

Where would we be as a global community without the study and aid of science and technology? How could humankind have survived through the ages without it? Science and technology have been around for almost as long as time itself. Ancient caveman used early science to learn how to make fire. Caveman, who developed spears from sticks tied with carved stones to hunt with, benefited from the creation of science. The word science (2009, ¶ 1) comes from the Latin word: scien tia, which means “knowledge” or “knowing” and technology (2009, ¶ 1) comes from the pairing of two greek words: techne and logia which means “art or craft” and “skill”.

Throughout the centuries, many different fields of science and technology have been developed as ways to better understand the natural world around us. Much of the early studies of science and technology pre dating the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries were dismissed and labeled as being forms of magic or the works of supernatural forces that should remain unchecked and unquestioned. Many early scientific experiments of that time were deemed unethical and frowned upon by society. Advancements in the fields of science and technology are ethical and necessary to the beneficial development of humankind. It would seem that in today’s society the methods of science and technology are once again being scrutinized by society. Many of the break throughs and developmental research that is conducted by scientists in the medical field as well as other fields of science are being deemed by society as unethical. Some extremists are claiming that some of the scientific developments are entering the realm of God’s work, and that we as humans should not be tampering with.

We as a world community have benefited from many accomplishments due to the versatility of scientific study. Science has played a huge part in the discovery of medical advancements associated with healthcare. Over just the past decade through scientific study and research, there have been remarkable medical breakthroughs in healthcare such as assisted reproductive techniques, genetic engineering, and the potential of stem cells to aid in not only improving ones quality of life, but to also get one step closer to ridding the world of fatal diseases. Many people criticize that some of the medical breakthroughs that science has discovered are unethical for various reasons.

Human reproduction has always been somewhat of a gamble. Some people could have children while others just were not able to. For the longest time doctors could not explain why, but through scientific study they have been able to come up with ways to increase a woman’s chances of getting pregnant. One assisted reproductive technique is In-vitro fertilization. In-vitro fertilization is a process that is used when a man and women cannot get pregnant by natural means. In-vitro fertilization simply means fertilization “in glass” as in the glass container of a test tube. The process involves fertilization that is artificially performed outside the woman's body ''in a test- tube''. The procedure involves extraction of a number of eggs from the woman .To do this she is given a drug that enables her to ''super ovulate” or to produce more eggs in one cycle than she normally does. The eggs are than surgically removed and fertilized outside the body in the laboratory normally with the sperm of the husband (2007, ¶ 5). Even though this medical breakthrough greatly benefits women who have trouble getting pregnant, it is not without its concerns on whether it is ethical or not. Some of the ethical concerns that have been associated with the use of this technique are that it bypassing the natural order of human reproduction. In turn life itself is being created in a lab environment rather then by the natural course. Another ethical concern that people have is about what happens to the unused embryos. Looking beyond these concerns in my opinion any woman should be allowed to have every opportunity to procreate especially if they were naturally, not able to. Who are we to tell anyone what they can and cannot do with their own bodies and their own lives? I know I would not want anyone telling me I cannot have any say in what I do with my body or life. It is no ones business but my own.

Another medical breakthrough that has science to thank for is the discovery of stem cells. Stem cells are tiny cells that are in the early stages of development and have exceptional potential to develop into any cell in the body. There are two general types of stem cells, adult and embryonic. According to a statement by Joseph R. Bertino, Interim Director and Chief Scientific Officer The Cancer Institute of New Jersey Committee on House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, “The promise of stem cell research is compelling and far-reaching. No other line of scientific inquiry offers better hope for curing intractable medical conditions. Indeed, therapies based on stem cells are a paradigm shift in the modern medical revolution. The potential to treat currently incurable conditions is both real and achievable in our lifetimes. As a society, we have an obligation to pursue scientific discoveries that offer a clear potential to help those living with devastating illnesses. At the same, we recognize the legitimate moral, social, and religious concerns raised by new technologies (2008, ¶ 3).” There has been much debate on if stem cell research and study is ethical. There are many religious authorities that believe that these early stage embryos are sentient beings that should be allowed the chance to develop into humans. In my opinion this claim is false reasoning. How can something the size of a cell be classified as a sentient being? To me it just does not make any logical sense. If it does not have a heartbeat what is there to say that it is point in fact alive? For myself, to believe that something can be considered as human, it has to have a heartbeat.

The pie chart listed below shows the growing number of Americans that are in favor for conducting studies into stem cell research since its discovery. [pic]

It is necessary for science to be used as the tool for understanding the natural world and provide future advancements throughout the continuing evolution of humankind. Without the clear understanding and development of science humankind most surely would not have been able to advance to this point. In the early years before humankind grasped an understanding of science, life was very hard for humans. According to James Edmonds Jr. who is an assistant professor of physics for Claremont College (1975, pp. 34-46), Science has made it possible for us to claw our way out of the jungle, and greatly to reduce the suffering and insecurity of our existence. We are genetically programmed to strive for this goal. Without this urge, our ancestors would not have survived when disaster struck. Science has been such a benefit to humankind it has helped aid us in the development of cures for diseases, it has allowed us to understand how things are and why they are and it has provided us with technologies that help make life easier.

The chart listed below shows that in a public survey poll done in 2006, 85% of Americans think that scientific research is an important part in today’s society.
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Science is not the only thing that has aided humankind out of the primordial soup and into the role of master’s of this planet. Science has provided humankind with many achievements, and one of its greatest is the achievement of technology. Through its development technology has gone from being simple hand tools to computers, transportation, electronics, and power tools. According to Dr. Leon R. Kass, who teaches in the Committee on Social Thought at the University of Chicago. Since the time of Bacon, the utilitarian aspects of science have become increasingly valued and science is judged by its ability to create new technologies rather than by its contribution to an understanding of man's place in the universe - ''knowing equals making.'' (1985, ¶ 1)

In today’s society practically everything around us is a by-product of humankind’s study of science and progressive development of technology. Science not only helps us as humans to better understand how nature works, but technology as well helps to make our lives easier. Through the study of science humankind has been able to make huge beneficial strides in the medical fields of science. Science has helped to develop all forms of medicines that provide cures for diseases and procedures that aid in prevention and protection against re-infection. Science has also given us ways to possibly prevent unborn children from developing hereditary diseases that are passed down from family members. With the research of stem cells through scientific study, scientists have been able to restore damaged cells that are diseased to healthy normal ones. Scientists have also been able to use stem cells to clone healthy organs that could be used for transplant surgeries.

Nano-technology is one form of technology that also holds exceptional potential in the fields for medicine. With the aid of having microscopic robots in your bloodstream that are programmed to track down and eliminate possible viruses and infections before the first signs of symptoms surface would not only be a exceptional benefit to that person but it would be a exceptional benefit to humankind. Nano-technology also holds much potential in aiding doctors during critical surgeries. Science and technology are not just a benefit to humankind, but to every living and non-living thing on this planet we call home. Both of them are one of the main reasons why we as a species have been able to grow and prosper. Advancements in the fields of science and technology are ethical and necessary to the beneficial development of humankind. With the continuing study and research into unlocking new forms of science and technology humankind knows no bounds in what we could accomplish.

Think of it this way, with science and technology we could one day find a cure for AIDS, Alzheimer’s, and even Cancer. We would be able to live in a world where we would not have to worry about dieing of a Cancer that is eating away at our bodies slowly and causing us a slow and probably painful death. At the first sign of Cancer or AIDS, we would be able to treat it as quick as lightning and not even give it a second thought. For those out there right now that are suffering from AIDS, or Cancer, or even Alzheimer’s, I am sure they would want to continue the scientific research that goes into finding cures for these diseases. Imagine switching places with them for one day. I am sure that after that one day they would realize that science and technology are extremely important to the survival of humankind. Without it we would not even have penicillin. Think of how many illnesses we treat with penicillin. Sit back and think of every thing that we have thanks to science and technology. We as a species would probably not have survived this long if we did not further our research into science and technology.

Reference page

Technology. (2009, January 31). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 06:33, January 31, 2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Technology&oldid=267723232

Science. (2009, February 3). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 06:30, February 3, 2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Science&oldid=268227814

BERTINO, J., OFFICER, I., & JERSEY, T. (n.d.). STEM CELL SCIENCE. FDCH Congressional Testimony, Retrieved February 5, 2009, from MasterFILE Premier database.

Kharb, D. (2007, February 23). Assisted Reproductive Techniques Ethical And Legal Concerns. Internet Journal of Law, Healthcare & Ethics, 4(2), 2-2. Retrieved December 20, 2008, from Academic Search Complete database.

Edmonds Jr., J. (1975, October). Science, engineering and society. Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, 31(8), 34-46. Retrieved February 19, 2009, from Academic Search Complete database.

Robert H. Ebert. (April 21, 1985). Science and Technology: Lest Mankind Be Forgot, New York Times. Retrieved 02/14/09, from http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B06E7D61138F932A15757C0A963948260