Lecture Notes: Science, Medicine and Technology in Society (FD12A) PDF

FD12A Science, Medicine and Technology in Society Unit 3: Science and Technology Lecture notes Prepared and presented by Prof. Marcia E. Roye Senior Lecturer in Biotechnology, Associate Dean, Graduate Matters FST, D...

FD12A Science, Medicine and Technology in Society Unit 3: Science and Technology Lecture notes Prepared and presented by Prof. Marcia E. Roye Senior Lecturer in Biotechnology, Associate Dean, Graduate Matters FST, Director Biotechnology Centre (acting) Office: Biotechnology Centre, Ground floor Tel: 927-0304 (office) 977-1828 (centre) ext. 2518-20 (from campus ) Email: [email protected] Science and Technology in our Lives What are some of the scientific and technological breakthroughs that have had a positive impact on our lives? – Telephone – Computer – Better drugs – Internet What is the greatest technological development of the 20th century? Computer/internet http:/p/pwww.youtpubpe.com/pwatpch?v=El-5sEWfEqa6EwME whatp isE sEcience Technology and Science Many of the technological advances are because of breakthroughs in scientific knowledge. Is there a difference between science and technology? Are they closely interrelated? What is science? http:/p/pwww.youtpubpe.com/pwatpch?v=El-5sEWfEqa6EwME What is technology? http:/p/pwww.youtpubpe.com/pwatpch?v=EsElvA=zK=Q1F=UU  Overview In this unit we will examine the difference between science and technology. Examine the complex interrelation between the two. Discuss to what extent scientists and technologists are responsible for how their work is used.  Learning Objectives Distinguish between science and technology. Discuss the complex interrelationship between science and technology:. – Science leading to technology e.g. internet, airplanes – Technology without science e.g. pyramids, mummification 5  Learning Objectives – Science without technology e.g. structure e.g. DNA – Science following technology e.g. steel pan – Technology enabling science e.g. microscope, telescope Discuss the extent to which scientists and technologists should be responsible for how the technologies derived from their work is used. 6  Science What is science? The aim of science is the discovery, description and understanding facts of nature (DDUN). Basically there are two types of science: – Natural sciences – Social sciences An e.g. of natural science? An e.g. of social science?  Technology What is technology? Technology is a set tools and techniques used to control or change the environment (usually for man’s benefit). [TTCCE] E.g. shelter (for protection) Computers (for communication) Therefore science allows us to understand and manipulate the environment. Technology is about using that understanding (science) in the service of man. Technology and Civilization In modern times it seems that technological developments usually occur because of scientific breakthroughs. E.g. better understanding of physics has helped us to build safer and better bridges. Clearer understanding of aerodynamics has assisted us in the manufacture of better and safer aeroplanes. Technology and Civilization However in ancient civilization there are many examples in technological advances in the absence of science. That is knowing HOW to do something without knowing WHY it works the way it does. For instance the ancient Egyptians built the pyramids more than 3,000 years ago. A great technological feat. Even today we are not too sure how this was achieved with the technology available at the time. Egyptian Pyramids The pyramids of Egypt are among the largest structures ever built[ and constitute one of the most potent and enduring symbols of ancient Egyptian civilization. http:/p/pwww.youtpubpe.com/pwatpch?v=EBdA=kbK=2L yDll http:/p/pwww.youtpubpe.com/pwatpch?v=E6ECtpjMEXb G52LsE Technology and Civilization Furthermore the Aztec and Mayan (natives of Central America) constructed many impressive buildings. Probably one of the greatest invention of human kind is the wheel (Mesopotamia, 5,000 yrs ago). The wheel made it possible to transport heavy loads over long distances. Can you imagine life without the wheel?  Aztec and Mayans Temples http:/p/pwww.youtpubpe.com/pwatpch?v=EncI1hA=dY3 XME Technology and Civilization Another technological advancement was the extraction of iron from ore and the technology of shaping it into powerful weapons. The Chinese had advance iron technology from 5th century BC. The ancient mummies is another example of sophisticated technology without science. The bodies of these mummies showed little decay for more than 3,000 yrs. Egyptian Mummies http:/p/pwww.youtpubpe.com/pwatpch?v=E-MEQ5dk9ccQb0 Technology and Civilization Recent research has showed that a complex mixture of oils and plants along with other techniques were used for mummifying the bodies of pharaoh and other Egyptian nobles. There is no evidence to indicate that the priests and other workers understood HOW this technology worked. The final example is the development of musical instruments by ancient civilizations. Technology and Civilization Almost all ancient cultures developed many different types of musical instruments for religious and other ceremonies. Do you think these ancient cultures understood the nature of sound waves? Current science can explain SOME (not all) ancient technologies. For instance we know that the oils and plants used in mummification has antimicrobial properties which prevented decomposition. Technology and Civilization There is no evidence that the priests who prepared the bodies knew HOW the technology worked. In fact the role of microbes in decomposition was not discovered until 2,500 yrs later. Similarly it was nearly 10,000 yrs after its usage that Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727) explained how the wheel works to transport large loads. Technology and Civilization And… today we still do not understand why some things work. For examples we still do not know why some animals e.g. cows , pigs, goats, chicken can be domesticated but not others such as zebra. Although we have been domesticating animals for more than 10,000 yrs. Modern Technology vs Science To what extent does modern technology depend on science? Today most technological advances occur because of application of scientific theories. It was only after progress was made in physics and aerodynamics (about 90 yrs ago) that it became possible to build better and more reliable aeroplanes. Other developments in physics (about 60 yrs ago) allowed for the development of the nuclear bomb and nuclear power stations. Modern Technology vs Science In the last 10-15 yrs progress in biochemistry has accelerated drug development. Developments in genetics has lead to the advent of designer drugs i.e. drugs tailored for a particular individual. Furthermore better understanding of how HIV weaken the immune system has resulted in the development of numerous anti-HIV drugs. Better understanding of fibre optic cable has lead to the explosion in computer and internet use. Science without Technology Technology does not always follow scientific breakthrough. For instance elucidation of the structure of DNA (more than 50 yrs ago) was expected to lead to exciting new drugs and genetically engineered plants. To date the results have been disappointing. Structure of DNA Science Following Technology An interesting example from the Caribbean is the development of the steel drum. The steel drum is said to be the only harmonic musical instrument developed in the 20th century. The steel drum was developed in Trinidad by musicians who could not read music. They learned to manipulate the steel to produce a wide range of sounds. The basic theory behind the steel drug is still not fully elucidated. Trinidadian Steel Drum  Technology Enabling Science Many developments in the 17th century in physics, astronomy and biology were made because of new instruments such as the telescope and microscope. There is an increase reliance of scientific observations on technology. In fact most scientific observations made today are reliant on the use of technology e.g. DNA sequencing. Microscope and Telescope DNA Sequence  Technology Enabling Science This reliance of science on technology has lead to the questions about the reliance of the observations. For instance in biology there is still debate about the detailed structures of cells. Some argue that some of these structures do not exist in the living cell and are created by the methods used to prepare the samples. Cell Structure  Technology and Paradigm Technology and the instruments for making observations have often played a role in the paradigm shift in science. One useful example is in 1950 psychological research which used introspection. Psychologists would perform certain task e.g. arithmetic and composition of poems and observe their own mental activity. This was used to build psychology theories.  Technology and Paradigm JB Watson a prominent psychologist at the time argued that this technology was not reliable. Psychologists needed to follow the natural science and more traditional scientific experiments. JB Watson insistence on using data obtained from direct observable empirical data has become part of current psychology paradigm.  The Scientist Responsibility A story from World War II At 8:15 on August 6, 1945 Enola Gay an American B-29 bomber dropped an atomic bomb weighing 9000 lbs (little boy) on the city of Hiroshima and about 140,000 people were killed. On August 9th another bomb (fat boy) dropped in Nagasaki killed 74,000 people. The explosion leveled 6.7 M sq metres and within a year nearly 250 M people were killed. Who is Responsible ? The Bombs, ‘Little Boy” and “Fat Man” Nagasaki before and after bombing The Scientist Responsibility Which scientists developed the theories so that the atomic bomb could be built? Who developed the technology to build the bomb? Who made the decision to drop the bomb? Who is responsible? The Hungarian physicist Leo Szilard realized that the atomic bomb could be built. Leo Szilard  Manhattan Project In 1939 Szilard persuaded Albert Einstein to write to President Roosevelt about making him aware of the possibility. So the Manhattan Project (MP) was established to build a nuclear bomb. Szilard also circulated a petition to the scientists of MP urging President Truman not to use the bomb because of the devastating effects. Truman never got the petition and the bomb was dropped. http:/p/pwww.youtpubpe.com/pwatpch?v=EoCqjjsgbOg4 Manhattan project: A photograph shows the first atomic bomb test on July 16, 1945, at 5:30am at the Trinity Site in New Mexico.  Manhattan Project The Manhattan Project was a secret military project created in 1942 to produce the first US nuclear weapon. Fears that Nazi Germany would build and use a nuclear weapon during World War II triggered the start of the Manhattan Project, which was originally based in Manhattan, New York. US physicist Robert Oppenheimer and General Leslie R. Groves served as directors of this project, which recruited some of the best US scientists, engineers and mathematicians. A number of European scientists, including Albert Einstein, Enrico Fermi, and Leo Szilard, also participated in the Manhattan Project. Under the auspices of the Manhattan Project, three main research and production facilities were established at Oak Ridge, Tennessee; at Hanford, Washington; and at Los Alamos, New Mexico. The Oak Ridge Laboratories provided uranium-235 and Hanford produced weapons-grade plutonium. The Los Alamos Laboratory became the site for assembling nuclear weapons. Los Alamos produced four weapons, two of which, Little Boy and Fat Man, were used against Japan in August 1945. The Manhattan Project officially ended in 1946 when it became part of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC).  Lesson 1 The decision to make and use the bomb was a political not a scientific one. Many believe that the scientists working on the MP wrer responsible for the devastation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. What do you think? The scientists disagreed They accepted the responsibility of using their knowledge to build the bomb.  Lesson 2 But…..It was the responsibility and decision of the US government to use the bomb. The second lesson.. Szilard insisted on making the implications of using the nuclear bomb public. Although… he insisted on secrecy before the war (for national security interest).  Who is Responsible? He insisted on making the scientific and technological breakthroughs of the MP public. Many scientist agree that it is not their responsibility to decide how the technology developed from the work should be used. What do you think? However they recognized that it is their responsibility to make the public aware of the USE and ABUSE of these technologies  Who is Responsible? It is up to the politicians to decide how the technology is used. What is the responsibility of the public? What is your responsibility? How can the public influence the decisions of politicians? To be able to do this the public need to be: – Scientifically informed and – Scientifically literate  Who is Responsible? It is the responsibility of scientists and journalists to keep the public scientifically informed and literate. Disagreement within the scientific community can influence political decisions. For instance the Seismic Unit of UWI, St Augustine warned the government of Montserrat to relocate the capital to the north of the island because of an eminent volcanic eruption. This warning was ignored in favour of opinions from scientists from outside the region.  Soufrière Hills Volcano in Montserrat http:/p/p www.youtpubpe.com/p watpch? v=E7h5bOS7uaWA=&fE eatpure=Erelatped  Soufrière Hills Volcano Seismic activity had occurred in 1897-98, 1933-37, and again in 1966-67, but the eruption that began on July 18, 1995 and was the first since the 17th century When pyroclastic flows and mudflows began occurring regularly, Plymouth (the capital city) was evacuated, and a few weeks later a pyroclastic flow covered the city in several metres of debris. A large eruption on June 25, 1997 resulted in the deaths of nineteen people. The island's airport was directly in the path of the main pyroclastic flow and was destroyed  Scientific Restrictions and Secrecy Should there be restrictions on scientific enquiry? How is this likely to affect science? Let us look at the issue of genetic engineering. What is genetic engineering (GE)? Many of the benefits of GE has been overshadowed by the possibility of its misuse. What are some of the possible misuse of this technology?  GE Concerns Some are concerned: – that scientists are meddling with nature. – most scientific research in this area is controlled by large corporations which are motivated by profit e.g. Monsanto Other current concerns about science include the debate on stem cell research and human cloning.  Concerns about GMOs Like any other groups scientists do not always agree about the implications of their work. For instance there are concerns about genetically modified organisms (GMOs, the products of genetic engineering). Increasingly the soybean (75%) and corn (32%) coming out of the US are GM. These plants have artificially genes from 53 other organisms. http:/p/pwww.youtpubpe.com/pwatpch?v=ESDI1j2LYR6EOo Global Area of Biotech Crops 2007 67% increase in the production of biotech crops between 1996-2007. The fastest adopted crop technology in all history Worldwide. Cultivation areas with genetically modified plants, 1996 - 55 2007, in millions of hectares  Concerns about GMOs In Jamaica the papaya have been genetically modified to be immune the Papaya ringspot virus. Some scientists agree that GE is nothing new and there had been selective breeding of other organisms (dogs, flowers) for a long time. Other scientist argue that GE is an artificial and unnatural process and we cannot be sure what the “new species” may turn out to be. So we need to proceed with caution.  Infected plant Healthy plant 10/11/20 57 10/11/20 58  Papaya ringspot virus on leaves of the papaya plant 59 10/11/20 Papaya ringspot virus causing rings on the papaya fruit 10/11/20 60  Who Should Decides Remember… Scientists accept the responsibility to inform the public about the implications of their work. The people’s representatives (politicians) are responsible for HOW and WHEN these technologies should be use. For instance in France and Italy some researchers are insisting on cloning humans using techniques used to clone Dolly.  Who Should Decides They have persisted with their research despite major moral objections. Of course they could do their work in secret. But what are the consequences of conducting scientific work in secrecy? Sharing of working among scientists is very important. Do you know why?  Who Should Decides Sharing of scientific research: – Help to keep scientists “on their toes.” – Make sure that the work is of international standards. – Prevent duplication of scientific efforts. – Help scientists to learn form the research of others. What is important is that political and other decisions that affect the public be made on the basis of scientifically sound information.  Learning Objectives Distinguish between science and technology. Discuss the complex interrelationship between science and technology. Discuss the extent to which scientists and technologists should be responsible for how the technologies derived from their work are used.  Summary Define science (DDUN) Define technology (TTCCE) Science and technology are interdependent. Ancient civilization technology without science e.g.: – Egyptian pyramids – Temples of Aztecs and Mayans – Wheel  Summary Technology following Science – Physics: better bridges and aeroplanes, nuclear weapon – Biochemistry: better drugs, e.g. anti-HIV drugs – Computer science: understanding of fibre optic cable lead to extensive computer and internet use. Science without technology: structure DNA.  Summary Science following technology: steel drum Technology assisting science: – Use of telescope and microscope – DNA sequence analysis Scientist/technologist responsibility: – Scientist/technologist responsible for using their knowledge – Informing the public  Summary People’s representative responsible for how and when the technology is used. Public’s responsibility to be informed on these issues so that they can influence their representatives.