Importance of Technology

As the human race progresses our scientific knowledge grows, and we use this important knowledge to help aid us in everyday things. Technology today has created a huge impact on our lives. It plays a huge and critical role in the understanding of the internal body system. The benefits we gain can be focused on the internal body system and uses technology to diagnose or treat any illness located in the digestive, respiratory, or circulatory system. We are being benefited in health care, health administration, hospitals and alternative care delivery systems because of this.

There are many devices that benefit us now such as large digital files containing x-ray or MRI scans. Patient records can also be quickly accessed at a patient's bedside with a PDA or tablet PC. Other advancements in technology such as the stethoscope, defibrillators, heart monitors, etc. have impacted medical treatment so thoroughly that a terminally ill patient, can be left over night with out the need for a constant supervisor with the help of a life support system. CT scanning is one of the biggest and impacts made for health care which combines special x-ray equipment with sophisticated computers to produce multiple images or pictures of the inside of the body. These cross-sectional images of the area being studied can then be examined on a computer monitor, printed or transferred to a CD. CT scans of internal organs, bones, soft tissue and blood vessels provide greater clarity and reveal more details than regular x-ray exams. Radiologists can easily diagnose problems such as cancers, cardiovascular disease, infectious disease, appendicitis, trauma and musculoskeletal disorders.


In conclusion, I believe that this rapid improvement on technology will surely create positive changes to our lives. We have been able to save many lives with the assistance of technology. Our ability to provide care efficiently and effectively will continue to increase as technology develops as well thus making a brighter future in today's society.

Sources:

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/importance-of-technology.html

http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=bodyct

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10103712

Commented on:

http://huliganrocafour.blogspot.com/2011/07/technology-its-lovehate-thing.html#comments

http://jeefchan.blogspot.com/2011/05/technology-and-humans-relevance.html#comments

Designer Babies

Science and technology are beginning to grow and develop amazingly. A new discovery that has been introduced into the world are the "Designer Babies." What are Designer Babies? Advanced reproductive technologies have allowed doctors and parents to screen the embryos for genetic disorders and select healthy embryos. Screening the embryos can also completely change different characteristics such as the eye color, hair color and complexion. In order to do this there are two methods which must be followed, Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) and In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). In Vitro Fertilization is used to fertilize eggs with sperm in test-tubes outside the mother's body.

Some people may find this quite shocking but others find this as a way to have the 'perfect' baby you have always wanted. There are many advantages for using this method. For example, if there was an inherited disease in the family, you can now opt for embryo selection to eliminate the possibility of passing that on to our children. But there is still a catch. Just like other things in life, the higher the price the higher quality. Using In Vitro Fertilization can cost as much as $19,000.

I feel that human actions are getting out of hand. It can go as far as to say that people may use designer babies only to comfort and treat sick siblings. This adds a deep mistrust of an individual. Another reason why designing babies exists because of fear. Many people fear that their child may go beyond their control and expectations. Babies are God’s gift, so like a gift we don’t know what it is until we finally receive and open it. As a christian, I oppose the alteration of a baby's complexion. I believe we are all equal and created in the image of God. We should let things be and let God do HIS job.

Sources:

http://www.bionetonline.org/english/content/db_cont1.htm

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/03/designerdebate/

http://singularityhub.com/2009/02/25/designer-babies-like-it-or-not-here-they-come/

Commented on:

http://erynkris.blogspot.com

http://huliganrocafour.blogspot.com

Feeding a Growing Population vs Conserving Biodiversity

When someone asks you what is the first thing that comes to mind when agriculture is said, you would probably think farming. New methods have been discovered and as time progressed agriculture had become more sustainable. Humans are exploring the many realms of what is today's agricultural system, and among the most debated issues is the choice between sustainable agriculture and industrial agriculture.

First off, what is the difference between sustainable agriculture and industrial agriculture? Sustainable agriculture is the practise of farming using principles of ecology. This method creates few but better quality products and enhances the quality of life for a farmer and society as a whole. Sustainable agriculture depends on replenishing the soil while minimizing the use of non-renewable resources as well, such as natural gas. (Without replenishment, land suffers from nutrient depletion and becomes either unusable or suffers from reduced yields.)

Industrial agriculture is a form of modern farming that refers to the industrialized production of livestock, poultry, fish, and crops. This type of farming is completely the opposite from sustainable agriculture. There can only be one word that can easily define Industrial agriculture and that is PROFIT. There are many points as to why one may oppose this type of agriculture. One reason is that there is a heavy use of pesticides and other chemicals which can cause cancer. Another reason is the unhealthy livestock. Often livestock are held under filthy conditions without access to sunlight, fresh air, or open pasture, thus making them susceptible to communicable diseases and this involves both the health of the product and the consumers.



What do you think is the best? I think the most obvious answer to this is Sustainable agriculture as it is the most healthiest and sufficient way. This method has a huge positive impact and is less harmful to the animals as well. After doing some research about farming and animals, my view has really changed on what I eat.

Sources

http://www.ucsusa.org/food_and_agriculture/science_and_impacts/impacts_industrial_agriculture/industrial-agriculture-features.html

http://www.sarep.ucdavis.edu/concept.htm

http://www.sustainabletable.org/intro/comparison/

http://www.economywatch.com/agriculture/types/industrial.html

The oceans are in a crisis. Greenpeace has a plan to save them.

Earth's oceans play a very important role in our lives. The oceans are home to thousands of species of fishes and invertebrates and plays important part of the global food chain. Both animals and humans depend heavily on healthy fishes but unfortunately the ocean will continue to deteriorate and vital food sources and essential functions provided to our planet and its people by the oceans could be lost due to pollution. Greenpeace has created a solution to help end this problem. Greenpeace has came up with the “Emergency Oceans Rescue Plan” which is aimed at world leaders. In my opinion, this is a very brilliant idea because the ocean is very important to humans and without it life would not continue. We need to make political leaders aware of the pollution affecting the ocean so that they will notice and focus more on the real situation. This will hopefully convince the leaders to build marine reserves.

Greenpeace's explains and shows how they can create a global network of marine reserves to cover 40% of the world’s oceans. Large-scale marine reserves would protect the full diversity of marine life and ensure healthy fisheries. They will also help us to alleviate food insecurity and poverty and build the resilience of our oceans to the impacts of climate change and allow us to sustain life on Earth for future generations.

Marine reserves are off-limits to fishing, fossil fuel extraction and other industrial activities. Establishing marine reserves will help end dirty oil exploration ships from roaming the oceans, and will allow marine life to be healthy and continue to help support human and animal life.

A great opportunity for the Greenpeace is to introduce the Emergency Oceans Rescue Plan during the CBD meeting. This will give the world leaders a chance to stop the massive loss of marine biodiversity and ensure the survival of the millions dependent on the oceans for food and their livelihoods.

Sources:

http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/news/features/The-oceans-are-in-a-crisis-Greenpeace-has-a-plan-to-save-them/

http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/publications/reports/Emergency-Oceans-Rescue-Plan/

http://www.waterandsolar.co.za/2010/10/11/emergency-oceans-rescue-plan/

Commented:

Mark Yabut http://biologysbi-3u1-04.blogspot.com/2010/10/greenpeace-activists-stop-massive-oil.html#comments

Brandon McBean http://mcbeean.blogspot.com/2010/12/protecting-worlds-tropical-forests.html?showComment=1302100044338#c252541787415184023