Cpusoc Essay, Research Paper

No doubt, technology is increasingly important in the modern world. It is amazing how fasttechnology has been developed. Nearly every major advance was invented in the last century. These invention are always planned for a positive result, however the negative effects oftendo not become apparent until after the event. These effects will be deal in the followingparagraphs with related materials. The text, “Whose Life is it Anyway?”, by Brian Clark, has clearly illustrated that with thedevelopment of medical technology, people can now have a better quality of life. Moreover,many lives which normally would not survive without the advance in medical treatment can nowbe artificially prolonged. The central character, Ken Harrison, who becomes a quadriplegicafter a car accident, has met this situation. Nevertheless, it is cruel to ask him to facethis life if he does not desire to. He can no longer sculpt, run, move, kiss or have anyform of sexual fulfillment. Obviously, his normal life has drifted away. The tendency tosustain people’s lives, just because the technology is available, is intolerance undercertain circumstances. It is the individual patient who must make a decision about whetherto keep himself alive. “What is the point of prolonging a person’s biological life if it isobtained at the cost of a serious assault on that person’s liberty?” There is probably nosimple answer for this question. Any patient’s decision should be respected, not based onthe fact of all available technologies. This medical technology has the potential for bothgood and bad results. However, it is very important in today’s society. “Insurance in the Genes” is a piece of valuable material which explores another area in thetechnological field. Nowadays, genetic engineering essentially plays an important role. Genetic testing can predict a person’s biological use-by date, forecasting everything fromheart attacks to breast cancer. People can therefore have a basic concept of their healthsituation and prevent what is going to happen if technology allows them to know thisbeforehand. “Up until now, only 50 genetic tests have been developed to detect diseases. Butwithin a decade, there will be tests for 5000 diseases.” It is a remarkable increase. In thenear future, hopefully, genetic testing will be employed to reveal potential health risks. It is a positive effect of technology in the modern world. Another useful source for the effects of technology in our world is the documentary. On 23

April 1996, SBS broadcasted a film entitled “Weapon: A Battle for Humanity”. It recordedthat landmines and laser weapons are devils. Evidently, mines do not just shatter individuallives, they also shatter whole communities. In World War II, mines were used to be defensiveweapons. However, they do not just only kill soldiers, but also farmers farming, childrenplaying and women collecting food. People in the past or even now have complained abouttheir existence. Laser weapons have been abused in military field. Militarism plans to install these weaponsin war. Their power have been recognized that under a certain condition, laser weapons canresult in losing sight. No medical science today can actually give sight back. Weapons should only be objects of defense. However, because of the advance of technology,they have become more and more powerful. Scientists clearly know that misusing weapons willresult in deaths, but they are still working towards more powerful weapons which can resultin even more death. Why is this? Weapons lead to homelessness, disasters, sacrifices anddeath. This study of the development of landmines and laser weapons shows that technologycan be used for destructive and immoral reasons. It is shocking to know that the USA, apeaceful nation and a member of the United Nations, has spent more than two-thirds of itsresearch and development finance on military projects in the 1980s. My personal experience has inspired in me a lot of understanding of this issue. In today’ssociety, communication and transport are significant features. Over the last decade, theirdevelopments in technology are rapidly increasing. People who want to go to other countriescan travel by airplane; and people who want to communicate with friends overseas can use thetelephone, fax or Internet. Not only in Australia, but also in other developing countries,Internet has become more and more common. With the use of Internet, I can now travel allover the world without stepping out of my door. Most importantly, a large amount of money issaved and having Internet is important to me. Internet has taken communication a furtherstep: all information is totally accessible to any who owns this form of technology. Itopens up a new international community which is positive and should lead to a peacefulmodern world. So in this world today, technology is perhaps the most important driving force of oursociety, creating dilemmas concerning life and death, changing nature with geneticengineering, developing such immoral weapons and the instant advantages of using Internet.