Technology Advances All The Time Essay

Technology has changed drastically from the 1970s to now. We have exceeded what most people back then could ever imagine. The technology used in schools, homes, and in public places has evolved into technology that makes the “cutting edge” technology of the 70s look very simple. Things such as the personal computer, the cell phone, electronic games, TVs, and even watches have changed completely. The ways that they have exceeded expectations is truly unbelievable.

Gina Kolata’s article, Ethics Questions Arise as Genetic Testing of Embryos Increases (2014), explains that as the increase of the testing of embryos for parents to choose whether or not to have children has also brought its ethical questions in the light. Kolata uses the Kalinskys case, a family in the article, and how their neurological disease, Gerstmann-Straussler-Schinker (GSS), has raised questions for ethicists who have looked into the case. Kolata’s purpose in writing this article is to inform the audience on the growing topic of embryo testing and also the ethical question that also accompany in order to have the audience to develop a personal view on the issue. Given how the author explains the technical terms used within the article, Kolata is writing to an audience that is not fully aware of genetic testing.

The first child to ever be from using test tube techniques happened in the late 1970’s. Although many have applauded this new type of technology, there is an ethical issue on whether or not embryos should be created in test-tube knowing that fact that many are not implanted and have human development. “Octo-Mom” is a classic case that may have changed many people’s perception when it comes to in-vitro fertilization. Many felt that it was ethically wrong for her doctor to conduct that type of procedure to a woman who will not have the ability to provide adequate care for the well-being of her children who may have health issues.

Advances in biotechnology have important applications to the core demographic concerns of human reproduction, raising a number of ethical issues. In the debate over this issue Kass the President’s council on Bioethics, with other scientist are nearly silent. In a critical discussion, Kass insists that producing and influencing babies in bottles is a gateway to a Brave New World. It is a way to maintain the population and keep the society from going into a revolution. However, in order maintain stability we must suppress all new scientific inventions along with artistic expression. Scientific research endangers humanity which can possibly threaten social order, which is why it must strictly be limited. Kass emphasizing on the technology itself

This article discusses the first two test tube babies meeting each other at a fertility conference. Through this, it displays how two of the first humans produced by this technology can bond over something such as their specialized births and what "life growing up in the spotlight has been like" (Simpson). The recognition of this event as a medical breakthrough helps to portray the importance of further advancement within this technology. As time continues so does the need to keep up with the new and upcoming technologies, and this article shows the importance of furthering the technology of IVF. The online article analyzed for the resolution of this topic was a book review in Louise Brown's autobiography. The review chose to focus on analyzing the parents of the first test tube baby opposed to the birth itself. This article states the negative effects IVF has had on the world and how it coincides with religion and moral beliefs. The review is very clearly against Louise Brown and what she has to say about the advancement that was her birth. Throughout the review, the author fails to include a counter argument for their

King first touches on the topic of in vitro fertilization and the opportunities it offers for couples who cannot conceive naturally. She goes on to discuss the topic of research on the human embryos that does not get implanted into the woman’s body. Research is being

In Vitro fertilization

When IVF first became popular Van Blerkom says, “ My First Reaction was, ‘You’ve got to be kidding’” (qtd. in Cheng). Scientists are now going to try to create a chapter method of IVF so many more people would be able to enjoy a test tube baby that would not cost the $60,000 incubator cost ( Cheng). In her article titled, Shoebox Lab + $265= one test-tube baby, Maria Cheg writes that this new method would help over half the people who need infertility help (Cheng). While Cheng believes more IVF would be beneficial to he world (Cheg), Baird says that we will

… But take the case of the hormone DES (diethyl stilbesterol), which was prescribed for pregnant women in the mistaken belief that is could prevent miscarriages. Some 15 years passed before many of the daughters of these women developed an unusual form of vaginal cancer.” The use of comparison makes this argument very effective. It draws attention to the weakness of our society in developing new technologies, using them, and then forgetting about the terrible history of the past technologies that went wrong. Hubbard uses appeals of logic and emotion in this argument. She makes a point that in vitro fertilization could potentially cause damage if it is also used and developed further, just like the “hormone DES” and the “chemical thalidomide.” She also uses strong imagery, describing babies born as “armless” and “legless.”

The process of IVF involves mixing the woman’s egg and the man’s sperm outside of the woman’s body, usually in a petri dish. Invitro fertilisation literally means ‘fertilisation in glassware’. If the fertilisation is successful, the formed embryo is transferred to

New technological advances and scientific methods continue to change the course of nature. One of the current controversial advances in science and technology is the use of genetically modified embryos in which the study exceeds stem cell research. Scientists have begun planning for research involving human embryos in the genetic modification field. Many technological developments are responsible for improving our living standards and even saving lives, but often such accomplishments have troubling cultural and moral ramifications (Reagan, 2015). We are already beyond the days in which virtually the only procreative option was for a man and a woman to conceive the old-fashioned way (Reagan, 2015). Genetic modification of human embryos can be perceived as a positive evolution in the medical process yet it is surrounded by controversy due to ethical processes. Because this form of genetic modification could affect later born children and their offspring, the protection of human subjects should be a priority in decisions about whether to proceed with such research (Dresser, 2004). The term Human Genetic Engineering was originally made public in 1970. During this time there were several methods biologists began to devise in order to better identify or isolate clone genes for manipulation in several species or mutating them in humans.

The principle of nonmaleficence, to do no harm, in reproductive technology can be applied to the prospective parents and the prospective child-the embryo. The procedures involved in attempting to impregnate a woman can be physically and emotionally damaging, but rewarding if done successfully. But the parties must first determine to what extent and at what cost will they risk to achieve their ultimate goal. It would cause great harm physically to the embryos if there were multiple unsuccessful attempts, but many would argue that the end outweighs the means, that it is worth it if the result was a viable pregnancy and healthy child.

After several months, on July 25, 1978, a healthy baby girl was born. The girl, Louise Brown, was hailed as the world’s and Steptoe’s first “test-tube baby.” Steptoe believed that this procedure would be important in the expansion of the human race. However, many individuals and organizations criticized Steptoe and his procedures, noting that his methods might create a dangerous precedent for other individuals.

“The unexamined life is not worth living.” With these words, Socrates stated the creed of reflective men and women and set the task for ethics: to seek, with the help of reason, a consistent and defensible approach to life and its moral dilemmas (Walters 22). Ethical inquiry is important to us when we are unsure of the direction in which we are heading. “New philosophy calls all in doubt,” wrote John Donne in the wake of the Copernican Revolution and of Charles I’s violent death, suggesting that new thoughts had challenged old practices (Donne). Today, new practices in the biomedical sciences are challenging old thoughts: “New medicine calls all in doubt” (Walters 22).

In today’s society, modern technology is evidently developing rapidly and it is portrayed as a negative impact. It can be seen that technology is a substitution of all characteristics of life. The purpose of every technological invention is to benefit the lives of mankind; thus re-enforcing the positive connotation of technology. However, in long term it may not be beneficial; such as, education, work and leisure are all becoming dependent on technology; cyberspace is dangerous and child obesity is increasing.