Analytic Entry on Current Events

Science and Technology has reached new heights in today's world. The Human Genome Project chemically decoded the entire human genome sequence through its research. With this amazing discovery came many differing opinions regarding its morality. In 2001, scientists in Oregon genetically engineered the first primate, a monkey named ANDi. This was a major scientific advancement in this field. With this kind of research, scientists are one step closer to being able to genetically engineer human beings. This concept frightens many individuals. Groups have formed attempting to ban this kind of research because of its ethical implications. They claim that altering humans’ genes goes against the true meaning of being human. God put every individual on this Earth for a specific reason, and it is everyone’s duty to live up to that. Manipulating genes entirely goes against this idea, for parents would have the ability to choose the appearance, intelligence, athletic ability, etc. that their child would possess. They would be playing the role of God and this concept troubles many. However, the opposing viewpoints ask that if God had a reason for the qualities all the humans possess, why would he give some of them awful diseases and disorders? Being able to alter their genes so that they live a healthy life only seems beneficial. The individuals who oppose this kind of research would then argue that human beings would turn into consumer products, something that is brought and picked out like a piece of candy. They believe that the only individuals who could afford this type of procedure would be those who are wealthy. The already present gap in society would expand and it would leave no room for alteration. Wealthy individuals would be destined for success, while the poor would not stand a chance. They would be unable to reach success because they do not possess the intelligence that the rich genetically do inside them. Despite the many complaints regarding this research, in 2008 the scientists at Cornell University in New York genetically engineered the first human embryo. Their incredible discovery will make it possible for humans to be genetically engineered in the near future. Previously humans could receive gene manipulation that affects blood and muscles cells for example, but those type of alterations will not get passed on to the next generation. This discovery will enable scientists to implant specific genes in individuals to be passed on to their offspring. Previously, the type of genetic engineering that was popular was called “gene doping.” In this process, athletes were able to get genes implanted in them from animals such as a rats’ quick twitch muscles to improve their overall speed. The morality of this is questioned as well because this would eliminate the notion that hard work brings success. As one researcher states, “it would produce excellence without effort, challenging the spirit of the Olympics and the meaning of sports competition” (Gregory M. Lamb. "Genetic Enhancement of Athletes Might Harm Sports”). Although this would benefit the athlete in his or her life, the genes would not be able to be passed on to their children because the genes would have been implanted in the athlete’s muscle cells. The incredible discovery in 2008 is going to make genetic engineering something that will last more than just one generation. The discoveries that scientists have made regarding the Human Genome Project are unbelievable without a doubt. They have reached new limits that no one thought was possible. However, this new limit is troubling to many, thus sides are being taken. The question becomes: is it more important to advance in the science field, or stay true to our morals?

Analytic Entry on Literary

“Bloodchild,” by Octavia E Butler, is a science fiction short story that deals with the ethical implications of the topic of Science and Technology. The story takes place in an alter-universe where two species coincide. The Tlics are alien-like creatures that dominate society, while the Terrans are the humans who live among the Tlics. Their relationship is necessary because the Tlics cannot reproduce naturally. There is a specific hormone inside the alien-like bodies that poison their offspring if they chose to give birth. Therefore, the Tlics build strong relationships with male Terrans so that one day she can implant her eggs into the male Terran's body. The process of removing the eggs once they are ready to come out is excruciating. It is painful and bloody and it can result in death. However, the Terrans are unaware of the potentially horrific consequences of giving birth for their entire lives. They grow up believing it is their duty to reproduce for the Tlics, even though it is just some sort of tradition their society has adopted. When the main character, Gan, a Terran, witnesses a fellow Terran having birth for the first time he is forever scarred. Gan had never seen the procedure before in his life, for he grew up believing it was done differently. At the end of the story, he speaks with his Tlic and states regarding the young Terrans and the birth process, “not protected, shown. Shown when we’re young kids, and shown more than once” (80). This demonstrates how Gan believes it is immoral that the truth is hidden from the Terrans. The process of birth that the Tlics inflict upon the Terrans was a scientific invention that their ancestors discovered. However, the ethical implications behind it were never discussed for years and years. When Gan says this, he is bringing up the question of this process’s morality. Although the Tlics greatly benefit from the procedure, an entire other species is left to suffer. Technology in today’s world has become great in many aspects, but it continually has ethical implications to be considered. Even today, new scientific advances have almost made it possible to alter the natural birth process through manipulating genes and such. For parents to be able to choose their child’s appearance, intelligence, and athletic ability is almost like they have the power to make their child live a happy and successful life. It may seem perfect, but the morality of this is easily questioned. The parents would be playing the role of God, which many would argue is unethical. God put everyone here for a reason and humans should not be messing with nature. In the same sense, the Tlics alter nature by having the male Terrans carry their children. It becomes immoral when the Terrans are dying and becoming injured for the benefit of the Tlic race. The Terrans should have a right to not be involved with this procedure if they choose to. They should know at a young age what will happen to them if they partake in the process and then make the decision based on those facts. Similarly, citizens today should know about all the consequences of the technology they use. Technology seems so simple and beneficial, but it truthfully has a lot of ethical implications behind it. The Tlics use the Terrans for their own benefit despite the immorality behind it. The parents who choose to manipulate their children’s genes are doing something for their own benefit and ignoring the ethics that go along with it. This story is a wonderful example of how technology can produce incredible things; it can bring about new lives. At the same time, before technology is used it must always be morally evaluated.

Analytic Entry on Background

Science and Technology is the core reason for America's progression throughout time. It began with the migration from the countryside to the cities after the Civil War. America's cities were appealing due to the many job opportunities that new technology and scientific advances made available. Jobs were desperately needed because the citizens' work they previously had been doing for years on the countryside had been replaced by new machines and technology. On the farms, iron plows replaced the sickle, which would take on average one day to cut a half acre of wheat. This new invention could cut ten times the amount of wheat in one day compared to the sickle. The inventions began in 1773 with Eli Whitney's cotton gin. Slaves could pick cotton in far less time than they previously could have. Next, Cyrus McCormick created the reaper, and six year later John Deere invited the steel plow. Inventions improved throughout time because the scientists worked off of each other’s ideas to create the best product possible. This concept is true in the field of science as a whole. James Dalton, J.J Thomson, Ernest Rutherford, and Neils Bohr used the ideas of each other to discover the smallest unit of matter: the atom. J.J Thomson claimed that all electrons were spread out in positively charged matter, but Rutherford went the next step further by discovering the nucleus which the positively charged matter surrounded. Science can be extremely competitive, but at the same time new technology would be impossible without many individuals working together to come to the best conclusion possible. Stagecoaches and wagons used to be the way Americans transported from one location to another. Then, through scientists working off of each other’s past ideas, railroads and canals were invented which could carry goods to the cities in half the time. America had been progressing and along with it new technology was necessary to compensate with the new fast-paced society. Factories had to produce merchandise at fast rates in order to stay in business. Therefore machines were constantly improving and making advancements so that the factories would benefit from them. Other inventions became necessary once a majority of the American population moved to the cities. Thomas Edison helped to improve the American factories by creating the first electrical power plant. His work made electricity accessible to factories and homes all over New York City. Similar to Edison, Alexander Graham Bell’s invention of the telephone benefited the workplace, but it also helped to improve domestic life as well. Having electricity available at home, the telephone was able to occupy homes all across America. Telephones allowed individuals to share ideas, continue communicating with friends and family, get fast help in the event of emergencies, and more. The latest technological advances created a new lifestyle for the citizens in America. Never before did technology make the simple tasks in life so easy and quick. Never before were factories producing billions of products in one day and selling them all over the country. Science helped to improve all aspects of the American life however as time progressed, ethical implications needed to be considered. During the Cold War, the United States got involved with Russia in a war that became somewhat scientific. Both countries wanted to create more nuclear weapons than the other. Although this competition resulted in amazing scientific progress, the idea of one country possessing numerous atomic bombs was threatening and dangerous to the rest of the world. After awhile, actions were taken so that this “arms race” came to an end. Just recently, the Human Genome Project where the scientists “decoded chemically the entire human genetic code” (Daniels, George H. "Science in America") brought up the morality question. Due to this research, new advancements such as stem cell research, genetic testing and cloning are on its way. These advances although incredible, trouble many. Many individuals argue that messing with the genetic makeup of humans questions what it means to be human. They believe that God put all individuals here for a reason and science should not be intervening with nature. Even though Science and Technology helped America get where it is today, it is essential to make sure that the ethical implications are always considered.