Trial GP essay

Like every good advertisement, I think it wise to show you an example of my work. =)

Enjoy... though the facts are a little updated... Please pardon me, I am a little rusty.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Do we always benefit from the advances in Science and Technology?

In today’s world, it is nearly impossible to locate a setting that is untainted and uninfluenced by science and technology. In fact, this claim is also true in all other less tangible areas of human life. For one, even the way we socialize, the way we communicate and the food we eat; all these things are in some ways inexplicably tied to some form of technological advancement. However, one must question, are all these advances in science and technology purely beneficial to our world? Or is science and technology a double edged sword that can be misused for great evil.

It is impossible to ignore the ubiquitous sight of technology in today’s world. From the moment, you wake; you are confronted by high technology gadgets, like your cell phone that doubles up as your alarm clock. You proceed to wash your face and brush your teeth, and there you have it – an electronic toothbrush; gadgets that make life more efficient and convenient. It is true that with the advances in technology, things that used to be impossible are now made possible. Not only that, but also affordable and common.

A very apt example of that would come in the field of aviation technology. With the advances in aviation technology, travel between states and even continents have become easy, safe and affordable. This has not only led to leaps of improvement in communication speeds, it has also made trade between countries and the formation of large corporate Multi National Corporations possible. This has in turn led to great increase in wealth and affluence in many countries.

Another good example would be that of the invention of the telephone, which of course have over time evolved into the latest 4G handheld mobile phones. This has greatly increased the efficiency of communication to the extent that one can actually work in the comfort of their own home. This has greatly influenced the way people live and in more ways than one, liberalized women. For one, women who were just a century ago confined to the home are now given the option of working from home through high tech devises like laptops and blackberry. They can literally perform two roles at a time – a mother and a part of the workforce. This would have been literally impossible just a century ago.

When it comes to the discussion of science and technology, it would also be irresponsible to leave out the tremendous advances in the area of medical science. The discovery of vaccines, antibiotics, stem cell organ transplants are all but the tip of the ice berg when discussing the developments in medical science. Just a few decades ago, the elderly can simply die from simple influenzas. But with increase knowledge of how the immune system works, this is no longer such a problem as doctors can very vigilantly prescribe vaccines and vitamins to patients as a precaution for such influenza attacks.

In-Vitro-Fertilization, otherwise known as IVF or test-tube baby, has also opened new doors to the many couples with problems in their reproductive system. The sperm and ovule are fertilized in a petri dish and the embryo implanted in the uterus of the mother through an external injection. The procedure is so simple and yet, it has impacted so many couples around the world and allowed them to start a family.

With that said, like every powerful thing, science and technology can be thwarted and misused. In the process, great harm and damage can be inflicted on the very world we live in. A good example that has left its mark in human history would be that of the progress in weapons development. In world war two, the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan led to the death of thousands of Japanese. Of those who survived, many young kids and toddlers developed mutations of which the unborn fetuses were most affected. Though the dropping of the atomic bombs led to the much celebrated end of the war, the effects of the trauma it has caused is still echoing in the culture of the Japanese. This can be seen in the high suicide rates in Japan and the highly disturbing nature of some of their animations and movies.

Another example of how science can be thwarted and badly abused would be in the infamous Adolf Hitler and his dedication to eugenics. In his perverse hatred towards the Jews and strong belief in formation of ‘pure’ Aryan race, he actually invented an inhumanely rapid way of exterminating his fellow mankind in War World Two. Hitler created the gas chambers. It was there where he executed his ‘final solution’ and rapidly gassed millions of Jews and Semites to death. Not only did he embarrass and humiliate his prisoners before their death, he picked a few unfortunate ones to perform unethical experiments on. These examples include experiments on how long it takes to freeze a person to death and how much water a human stomach can bear before it explodes. These experiments were grossly inhuman and unethical and have not only led people to question the sanctity of human life; it has also led to the guilty conscience that the Germans still bear up till today.

In conclusion, though science and technology has brought with it multitudes of advantages to mankind, it has also inevitably made history’s worst traumas possible. Therefore, we do not always benefit from the advances in science and technology but when used wisely and cautiously, science and technology can indeed lead to great leaps of enlightment and convenience in mankind.