TARLAC STATE UNIVERSITY

College of Engineering and Technology

San Vicente, Tarlac City, Tarlac

Specific Issues in Science, Technology, and Human Behavior:

When Technology Crosses Humanity

Group 5
Castañeda, Hermie V.
Hugo, Mark Lui S.
Lim, Leah G.

Professor Raul Canlas

Instructor

March 2020
 SCIENCE

Technological Breakthroughs in the field of Science

Artificial Organs (3D-Bioprinting and Stem Cells)
Experts believe we may be nearing an era where organ transplantation will no longer be
necessary. Foremost among these medical advances, and one that while controversial has
continued to demonstrate potential, is the use of stem cells. The studies that have been done with
stem cells have proven that it is possible to grow organs in a lab, which could then be implanted.
Science has also made it possible to produce artificial organs using another technological marvel,
3D printing. When applied to medicine, the technique is referred to as 3D-bioprinting. Example:
Prince Ashford from Milwaukee, Wisconsin who is a person with a living artificial heart.
Human Cloning
Advantages of Human Cloning

1. Human cloning could resolve fertility issues.

2. Human cloning could lead to medical advancements.
3. Human cloning unlocks the benefits of genetic modification.
4. Human cloning could help us to recover faster from devastating injuries.
5. Human cloning reduces issues of socioeconomic equality.
6. Human cloning could eliminate defective genes and chromosomes.
7. Human cloning would allow great minds to continue benefiting humankind.
8. Human cloning would help us to create more stem cells.
9. Human cloning could eliminate viral epidemics.
10. Human cloning could adapt our population to changing planetary conditions.
11. Human cloning could lead to advancements in organ transplantation.

Disadvantages of Human Cloning

1. Human cloning might cause people to age faster instead of slower.

2. Human cloning would change how we perceive individuality.
3. Human cloning would only be available to the wealthy initially.
4. Human cloning would face the same dangers as animal cloning.
5. Human cloning will always have spiritual, moral, and ethical consequences attached to it.
6. Human cloning attempts have been mostly unsuccessful.
7. Human cloning could contaminate our DNA diversity.
8. Human cloning could lead to exploitation.
9. Human cloning would initially target women who are struggling financially.
10. Human cloning creates people as a means to an end.
11. Human cloning would change how we grieve.
 TECHNOLOGY

Technology is the application of scientific knowledge to the practical aims of human

life or, as it is sometimes phrased, to the change and manipulation of the human environment.
Inventions that have the most impact on human society:
1. Wheel
2. Compass
3. Printing press
4. Telephone
5. Steam Engine
6. Antibiotics
7. Automobile
8. Electricity
9. Computer
10. Internet

Technology as a Weapon
Warfare has always lead to the biggest leaps forward in technology, which each
Country constantly striving to have the most advanced and capable armaments to protect their
interests at home and abroad. Seemingly drawing inspiration from science-fiction, the latest
and greatest advancements in military hardware and future weaponry paint a scarily accurate
and dangerous view of the world of warfare in coming years.
Examples:
-ADAPTIV camouflage
-CV90120-T Ghost
-TASER Shockwave
-Human Universal Load Carrier (HULC)
-HI MEMS
-ADS Underwater Gun
ZUMWALT Class Destroyer

In 2009, US Government report advocates using neuroscience to enhance soldiers abilities.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)
It is wide-ranging branch of computer science concerned with building smart
machines capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence.
Norvig and Russell go on to explore four different approaches that have historically defined
the field of AI:
1. Thinking humanly
2. Thinking rationally
3. Acting humanly
4. Acting rationally
How is AI used?
Artificial Intelligence generally falls under two broad categories:
Narrow AI: Sometimes referred to as "Weak AI", this kind of artificial intelligence operates
within a limited context and is a simulation of human intelligence. Narrow AI is often
focused on performing a single task extremely well and while these machines may seem
intelligent, they are operating under far more constraints and limitations than even the most
basic human intelligence.
A few examples of Narrow AI include:
Google search
Image recognition software
Siri, Alexa and other personal assistants
Self-driving cars
IBM's Watson
Artificial General Intelligence (AGI): AGI, sometimes referred to as "Strong AI", is the
kind of artificial intelligence we see in the movies, like the robots from Westworld or Data
from Star Trek: The Next Generation. AGI is a machine with general intelligence and, much
like a human being, it can apply that intelligence to solve any problem.
Positive Impact of AI
1. Enhanced automation
2. Smart Weather Forecasting
3. Eliminates the necessity for humans to perform tedious tasks
4. Zero scope for errors
AI-related Risks
1. Autonomous weapon
2. Social manipulation
3. Invasion of privacy and social grading
4. Misalignment between our goals and the machine's
5. Discrimination
Microchip
A microchip, smaller than your fingernail, contains computer circuitry called an
integrated circuit. Today, microchips are used in smart phones that allow people to use the
internet and have a telephone video conference. Microchips are also used in televisions, GPS
tracking devices, identification cards as well as machine, for the speedier diagnosis of cancer
and other diseases.
Microchip implants represent the latest evolution in convenient technology. The
implants themselves are shaped like cylinders, which contain a biologically safe epoxy resin,
the microchip, and a copper antenna coil. Designed without a battery or power source, they
remain inactive until they come within the field range of a reader device, which
communicates with the device through a magnetic field. The chips offered by Biohax
International are designed primarily to reduce the time it takes users to perform specific daily
routines. Individuals with implants can access their homes, offices, and gyms by simply
swiping their hands against a digital reader.
These microchips utilize radiofrequency identification (RFID) and near-field
communication (NFC). RFID microchips can be used as passwords or keys, while NFC chips
can be used to store electronic credit cards or crypto-currencies.
RFID Chip Advantages
1. Easier identification
2. Keeping tabs on patients, children and criminals.
RFID Chip Disadvantages
1. RFID chips may pose a threat to our health.
2. Microchips may take away our freedom of choice.
3. Chips may make us prime targets for people with bad intentions.
 HUMAN BEHAVIOR

Positive Effects of Technology to Human Behavior

1. Increased overall efficiency
2. More entertainment (games, movies, etc…)
3. Easier time learning things (information, web, search)
4. Better quality of life, longer lives due to modern medicine and technology, etc…
5. Increased safety. Better police response times, GPS, surveillance/cameras, etc…
6. Easier communication. Phones, internet, IM, email.
7. Ability to do away with paper in large part, saving the forests from being cut
down.
8. Decreased emissions and a greener environment keeping the Earth, and people,
healthier.

Negative Effects of Technology to Human Behavior

1. Decreasing use of our own memory (less able to remember phone numbers for
example)
2. Decreased use of simple math calculations by hand (less able to do quick simple
calculations without a phone/calculator app).
3. More reliance on GPS to navigate. Less direction sense.
4. Laziness. Gaining weight due to inactivity.
5. Kids, and adults, addicted to screens, social media, games, TV’s…. (which also
leads to laziness)
6. Decreased attention spans due to the massive amount of information today.

References:
(David and Lyle, 2018). Living With an Artificial Heart: Prince's Journey. Retrieved from
https://www.froedtert.com/stories/living-artificial-heart-princes-journey-transplant
(Galeon, 2017). Artificial Organs: We’re Entering An Era Where Transplants Are Obsolete.
Retrieved from https://futurism.com/neoscope/artificial-organs-entering-era-
transplants-obsolete
(Regoli, 2019). 23 Major Human Cloning Pros and Cons. Retrieved from
https://connectusfund.org/23-major-human-cloning-pros-and-cons
(Worley, 2018). What are the positive and negative effects of technology?. Retrieved from
https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-positive-and-negative-effects-of-technology
(Richard van Hooijdonk, 2017). Human Microchipping, The Benefits and Downside.
Retrieved from https://www.richardvanhooijdonk.com/blog/en/human-microchipping-
the-benefits-and-downsides
(Willings,2019). 28 incredibly futuristic weapons and modern fighting vehicles. Retrieved
from https://www.pocket-lint.com/gadgets/news/142272-28-incredible-futuristic-
weapons-showing-modern-military-might.amphtml
(Newshound, 2014). 10 inventions that have had the most impact on human society.
Retrieved from https://www.theexeterdaily.co.uk/news/blogs/10-inventions-have-had-
most-impact-human-society

(Schroer, n.d.). Artificial Intelligence. What is Artificial Intelligence? How Does AI Work?.
Retrieved from https://builtin.com/artificial-intelligence

(Vyas, 2018). 7 Ways AI Will Help Humanity, Not Harm It. Retrieved from
https://interestingengineering.com/7-ways-ai-will-help-humanity-not-harm-it

(Marr, 2018). Is Artificial Intelligence Dangerous? 6 AI Risks Everyone Should Know About.
Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2018/11/19/is-artificial-
intelligence-dangerous-6-ai-risks-everyone-should-know-about/amp/

(Bellis, 2018). Who Invented the Microchip?.Retrieved from

https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-a-microchip-1991410
Human Cloning Explanation

1. Human cloning could resolve fertility issues.

Couples who are unable to naturally conceive will be able to create children to whom they are
a genetic relative thanks to human cloning. Infertility could become an issue of the past
because doctors could take the genetic profile of each parent, infuse it into an embryo outside
of the body, and potentially grow the fetus in a laboratory environment. This process could
help countries such as Japan who are struggling with low birth rates right now.
The BBC reported in late 2018 that there was a remarkable decline in fertility rates in the
developed world. In 1950, women were having an average of 4.7 children during their
lifetime. In 2018, the fertility rate was just 2.4 children per woman. In the UK, that rate is just
1.7 children. When a country drops below 2.1 children per family, the population will
eventually shrink.

2. Human cloning could lead to medical advancements.

The processes of human cloning could help to create new advances in medical science. By
creating a duplicated individual, it would become possible to share genetic material which
could help to prevent or cure diseases that may have a negative impact on that person’s life. It
could create a new line of research that is equivalent to what we see today with embryonic
stem cell therapy potential.
3. Human cloning unlocks the benefits of genetic modification.
Human cloning requires a precise form of genetic engineering. Using our current
technologies, we would implement enzymes from bacteria to locate genes within our DNA to
create the necessary modifications for duplication. This technology has been in use since
2015, so it is not something from which we are completely unfamiliar. We know of five
potential benefits to genetic modification within the human genome that are worth exploring.
• It could help us to begin curing genetic diseases such as cystic fibrosis or thalassaemia.
• Genetic modification could also help us deal with complex diseases such as schizophrenia
or heart disease.
• Human cloning could help us discover new ways to combat the natural aging process,
including potential opportunities to stop it.
• Babies would no longer need to go through a genetic lottery before birth to know what their
human potentiality would be during their lifetime.
• It could begin to reduce the overall cost of disease treatments around the world.

4. Human cloning could help us to recover faster from devastating injuries.

Interventional orthopedics is a non-surgical option which uses a patient’s own cells to help
repair the damage that occurs during a traumatic injury. Sprains or strains to a ligament will
typically heal in 4 to 6 weeks with rest, but when a tear occurs, the primary treatment option
(especially with an ACL) is to apply a tissue graft at a steeper angle to encourage the healing
process.
The current procedure increases a patient’s risk for osteoarthritis and cartilage damage later
in life. Through the processes of human cloning, the cells can begin to rebuild on their own. It
creates an opportunity for a faster recovery because doctors are duplicating the exact cells
that the body requires.

5. Human cloning reduces issues of socioeconomic equality.

According to the Science X Network, up to 10% of children in the developed world are
currently taking medication such as Ritalin to help with their poor self-control issues. This
medication makes it possible for today’s kids to improve their educational prospects because
they have more control over their behaviors. Education, special services, diet, and other
social interventions are also used to correct the natural inequality that occurs through the
natural reproduction process.
Moving toward human cloning would allow the next generation of children to require fewer
interventions throughout their life because they would be genetically equipped to handle the
challenges which might come their way.

6. Human cloning could eliminate defective genes and chromosomes.

The statistics on genetic diseases are particularly grim in today’s world. About 1% of the
population in the United States will develop a specific disorder with a genetic foundation at
some point during their life. Approximately 1 in 100,000 people in the U.S. have Syndrome
A at the present time, with 100,000 children worldwide dealing with Syndrome B. The
current leading cause of newborn death is due to birth defects. All of these issues could be
reduced or eliminated if we were to embrace the benefits that human cloning provides.
Report this ad
7. Human cloning would allow great minds to continue benefiting humankind.
Imagine what Albert Einstein would’ve been able to accomplish if he had 100 years to work
instead of a few decades during a single lifetime. Where would we be today if Leonardo da
Vinci had access to modern technology with his impressive imagination? Because of human
cloning, we would be able to set the stage for humankind’s greatest minds to continue doing
their work, albeit as new individuals, which would help our society advance at an even more
rapid pace.
Significant contributions to science, music, literature, and the arts are possible because of the
technologies involved in human cloning.

8. Human cloning would help us to create more stem cells.

Stem cells are what help to build, maintain, and repair the body throughout our lives. There
are processes that these cells perform naturally, allowing them to be manipulated by doctors
to repair diseased or damage to organs and tissues. When they are transferred from one
person to another, then the recipient sees these cells as being foreign bodies, triggering an
immune response. Cloning is a way to create genetically identical cells that could help to
create better health outcomes for people, especially if they suffer from a rare genetic disease.
9. Human cloning could eliminate viral epidemics.
The primary goal of treating a virus such as HIV/AIDS is to suppress the mechanisms
involved that harm human health. Human cloning could help to replicate a natural resistance
to these diseases, disorders, and conditions when discovered in the general population. For as
long as disease has existed on our planet, there have been a select few people who have a
natural resistance to specific illnesses. A mutation of the CCR5 gene, for example, creates a
natural resistance to HIV.
Some people naturally resist the influenza virus better than others. Researchers even found
that a group of women in West Africa remained perfectly healthy despite repetitive exposure
to the Ebola virus. Human cloning would allow us to take advantage of these natural
immunities to create new vaccines, medical treatments, or even children in future generations
who would not be forced to struggle with such devastating illnesses.

10. Human cloning could adapt our population to changing planetary conditions.
The processes of evolution allow humankind to begin adapting to changing conditions on our
planet. Future generations may be able to adapt to a warming world thanks to the slow
adaptations of our genetic profile to this shift. Human cloning could speed up this process to
help save lives that would normally be lost through the process of natural selection. We
would be able to take the genetic profile of those who are the most resistant to any change,
duplicate it, and then spread it to the rest of the population.
11. Human cloning could lead to advancements in organ transplantation.
There are over 100,000 people on organ transplantation wait lists in the United States right
now. Roughly 10,000 individuals are waiting for a critical organ, such as a heart. Through the
processes of human cloning, it may become possible to duplicate a patient’s needed organ in
a laboratory setting to create a viable outcome. This process would also reduce the immune
response that occurs after this procedure takes place because the new organ would be based
on the cells of the individual instead of a random donation.
12. Human cloning could help us understand the reasons why spontaneous abortions
occur.
Spontaneous abortion, which is the medical term for a pregnancy loss or “miscarriage,” is the
natural death of a fetus or embryo before it can survive independently. Approximately 80%
occur in the first 12 weeks of the pregnancy, with about half of the incidents involving a
chromosomal abnormality of some type. Among women who are currently pregnant, up to 1
in 5 may experience this outcome. The processes behind human cloning would help us to
understand more about these abnormalities, and then correct them to prevent future losses.

List of the Cons of Human Cloning

1. Human cloning might cause people to age faster instead of slower.

As cells begin to age, the information they obtain is imprinted within their physical structure.
When a person begins to grow up, they generate genetic information that their genome
maintains. Although we know that cloning is possible, what we do not understand at this
present time is whether the information contained within our DNA could cause an artificial
duplicate to develop more rapidly than normal.
If genetic age imprinting does apply to the human genome, then providing embryos with
older cells could create issues with premature aging. This process could lead to new genetic
diseases, potentially increasing the risk for premature death.

2. Human cloning would change how we perceive individuality.

Human cloning creates two or more individuals with the same genetic profile. Each person
would have their own brains and bodies, which means they would be like any other family
member within a specific genetic profile. Although each person will develop uniquely based
on their circumstances, there would still be issues with individuality because of the physical
similarities that exist. Other people who are not involved with the cloning process could
begin to treat those who are differently within society, creating a new social class reserved
only for those who are genetic duplicates of an “authentic” human.
3. Human cloning would only be available to the wealthy initially.
Although human cloning will eventually help everyone at some level, the first procedures
would be available only to those with enough money to take advantage of his potential
benefits. There is a general rule in the humankind that says those who have power will do
whatever it takes to maintain it. Even if the technologies become affordable to everyone,
those who received the benefits first will already have a distinct advantage over those who
did not.
We would still have our socioeconomic divides in place, even with this science, because
those with money could afford more features, add-ons, or processes than those who are
struggling to put food on their table.

4. Human cloning would face the same dangers as animal cloning.

It requires over 100 embryos to create one viable animal clone in many circumstances.
Although scientists have successfully brought back an extinct species through the
technologies and understanding of the research in this field, the results were less than
spectacular. The bucardo, an extinct wild goat, only lived for about 10 minutes after it
reached a stage of meaningful life. That is why this process is illegal in most parts of the
world today, relying on the research in cloning stem cells as a way to advance the science
instead of duplicating entire individuals.
5. Human cloning will always have spiritual, moral, and ethical consequences attached
to it.
There will always be physical risks to humans associated with the artificial cloning process.
People have ethical and moral objections to this science as well. When Dolly the Sheep was
born as a clone in 1997, it did not take religious leaders long to speak out against the science
from the pulpit. The Roman Catholic church is against human cloning of any kind, and they
have held that position since 1987. Jewish leaders do not necessarily see a fertilized embryo
as having full human status.
These debates will never go away. Some people have no problem with the idea of creating
human clones. Others will be fundamentally opposed to this science for a lifetime. This
difference of opinion would create additional rifts in society that could become problematic
in the future.

6. Human cloning attempts have been mostly unsuccessful.

When we look at the processes of genetic treatments and their outcomes, more than 90% of
the efforts taken to treat humans have resulted in failure. Even when there is a successful
medical treatment using genetic techniques, the individual typically needs to keep taking their
treatment over the course of their entire life to continue experiencing the benefits of this
technology and research. This disadvantage may go away as our understanding of this topic
increases, but it is something that we must consider before advancing to the next steps as
well.
7. Human cloning could contaminate our DNA diversity.
Although newborns go through a series of “chance” developments during their embryonic
development stage, having a higher level of genetic diversity within human populations is
beneficial to the overall health of our species. When we stay locked in closed genetic groups,
then our DNA becomes contaminated with higher levels of mutations. This outcome creates a
higher risk of disease later in life.
We have already seen this issue play out with the Ashkenazi Jewish population. There are
five common genetic diseases which are much more prevalent in their community than in
general humankind. Cystic Fibrosis, Tay-Sachs disease, Familial Dysautonomia, Spinal
Muscular atrophy, and Gaucher disease are all severe issues with a prevalence rate as high as
1 in 10.

8. Human cloning could lead to exploitation.

The Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity suggest that one of the most significant
disadvantages of human cloning would be how it could lead to a new exploitation of women.
Scientists would need to manufacture enough cloned embryos to create a sufficient number of
stem cell lines that are viable. Women would need to be injected with medication that would
help them to ovulate rapidly, and then undergo an invasive procedure to extract the eggs.
Even under current circumstances, up to 5% of patients experience hyperstimulation that
leads to ongoing abdominal pain and even infertility in rare cases.
9. Human cloning would initially target women who are struggling financially.
The women who would be willing to take on the health risks involved with egg harvesting
procedures are those who are struggling financially. These women are not seeking to have
children. They want the money associated with the procedure instead. Advanced Cell
Technology paid up to $4,500 to each woman who donated eggs for their failed cloning
experiments already. Amping up the research in this field would require an approach that was
similar as a way to access the genetic materials that are necessary.
10. Human cloning creates people as a means to an end.
It is unethical to view humans, regardless of their age, as a means to an end. Even people who
support the development of stem cells and embryonic research are opposed to the idea of
creating embryos specifically for the purpose of research or to produce medical outcomes for
another person. When we start to research human cloning, this is exactly what we are doing.
Activated cells are still part of the human experience. Therapeutic cloning might provide
medical information that we can use in the future, but the costs may be too high to see any
advantages happening from this process.
11. Human cloning would change how we grieve.
Imagine a world where parents lose their child to tragic circumstances. Instead of embracing
the natural grieving process, human cloning would suggest that the genetic materials could be
used to create a duplicate. Although the clone would be a different individual, some parents
may not treat them as such. It could create shifts in our society that alter the very way we
approach the unforeseen moments of life. There is even the possibility of this science
devaluing human life. Did you lose someone you love? Then create another person to limit
your emotional reaction.
These human cloning pros and cons are essential to review because science is slowly
progressing toward this outcome. It may be a process that becomes available in our lifetimes.
When we reach this new plateau, there will be several philosophical and moral questions that
each person must answer on their own. Do people have a soul? Is there a God? What happens
when we die? If we can begin to find the answers today, then tomorrow’s technology will not
experience implementation delays.