Biology is my favorite subject at school, because you can apply what you learn in class with everything you see in this world.
One of the most fascinating topics we learned just a few weeks ago is the immune system of the human body. We learned that there are white blood cells and anti-bodies that fight against the pathogens that enter our bodies. There is such a complex and ingenious system in our blood that I had no idea about.
We then got into the issue of using modern technology to help our immune system. Some advancements included the use of vaccines, antibiotics, and cloning our anti-bodies using the cells of mice. Our biology class then side tracked into a conversation about CSI and other criminal movies, about snake bites and venom. We then questioned: was this technology actually helping humans advance, or hurting us?
In a way, modern medicine allows humans to "play god," and avoid sickness and death. Meanwhile, our population growth exponentially increases. We are left on a crowded earth, harming the environment around us. Our medicine can also harm humans as well. Viruses and known to mutate very quickly. When we use antibiotics, we are killing off the weak viruses and bacteria in our bodies. The stronger viruses, the ones that have mutated, are able to survive and reproduce in our bodies. Patients must then intake a stronger anti-biotic. It is almost a dangerous, repeating cycle.
I think that technology in science has helped humans advance in many ways, but it has also allowed us to live in an unnatural environment. I do wish that everyone in our world remain healthy and happy, but technology in science is a power that must be held by responsible, wise people.
Hi Jeanne :) I definitely agree with what you have to say about how technology and science puts into the hands of humans almost an unnatural power of playing God and how this has evolved society in a large way. But, I also think that such knowledge exists out there so that humans can acquire it and use it to our advantage. In TOK, we always talk about expanding your knowledge and I think that is what science as an area of knowledge gives us the opportunity to do.
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