LENCHICO, CHANTY G.

BS. ARCHITECTURE 2B1

STS MODULE 8: ACTIVITY #1

1. Why is it important to centralize human rights in science, technology, and development?

 One of the paragraphs in the article says, “The UN Development Programme
characterises this approach as one that "leads to better and more sustainable outcomes
by analyzing and addressing the inequalities, discriminatory practices and unjust power
relations which are often at the heart of development problems. It puts the international
human rights entitlements and claims of the people (the 'right-holders') and the
corresponding obligations of the state (the 'duty-bearer') in the centre of the national
development debate, and it clarifies the purpose of capacity development". For me, I
personally agree with this. Just like all the furniture that we buy for our house, we must
know the precautions first. Having a right is important because it will put to an end all
the manipulative people that likes to take advantage of weak people. This also helps us
people to be responsible, have dignity and be careful with what we do, or where we use
these technologies. This will be a big benefit for us and make us a good person not just
for ourselves but for the society.
2. The article asserts that there is no universally accepted definition of a human-rights based
approach to science and technology. Why do you think so?
 After they claimed that there is no universally accepted “definition”, they then said that
they are still providing a “framework”, meaning they are still building it’s foundation,
and it needed more substance for the people to highly agree with it. They are still
working to come up with a structured “approach”, so that all the people that will be
reading the article will make themselves think that it really is important.

3. Not everyone agrees that in a human rights-based approach to science and technology.
Why do you think so?
 The article again said, “Without a human rights approach to science, technology, and
development, the uneven distribution of goods — from services and natural resources
to intangible resources such as human dignity and autonomy — would only grow
exacerbated, resulting in further environmental degradation and, above all, heightened
vulnerability.” And I think the reason why many people disagree with it is because there
are these people who likes to “take advantage”, to “degrade” other people. There are
these people who thinks that “human rights” is their “greatest enemy” because they
don’t get to do what they want to do with other people, they feel so overwhelmed with
the limitations but they should also know that allowing person to have/take his “right”
will not hinder themselves from having their rights too. It’s just a matter of
understanding that we all can’t have all things done in our own ways.

4. Give at least two concrete examples on how a human-rights based approach to science
and technology lead to good policy-making and approach to development.
 The human rights approach can help promote indigenous and local knowledge; how it
can enable dialogue between competing beliefs where each claims to be universal; and
how it can establish bridges between traditional and innovative forms of science and
technology.
  Human rights approaches can shed light on the ethical implications of new technologies
and examine how policy can keep up with rapidly developing science.

5. In your opinion, in the times of the COVID-19 pandemic, do you think a human-rights
based approach to science and technology is being implemented? Why or why not?
 As a teenager who spends most time on “social media”, I can say that yes, it is being
implemented, however, the thing is that even though it is being implemented, some people
don’t like to be a part of the implementation at all and just do their own thing/businesses.
Some people don’t have that much knowledge about their “rights” and some people again,
like to “take advantage” of that right. One of the issues that needed to be addressed here is
having a “just society” who knows how to “accept” and be “a good example” to the
community.