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:

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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:

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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