UMALOS, ROSEMARIE T.

BSCRIM 2B

MODULE 2, LESSON 4 ACTIVITY 6

Instructions: Answer the following questions in your own words based on your understanding of Mukherjee’s
human rights-based approach to science, technology, and development. Limit your responses to three or four
sentences only.

1. What is a human rights-based approach to science, technology, and development?

A human rights-based approach to science, technology, and development sets the parameters for the
appraisal of how science, technology, and development promote human well-being. Thus, the discussion of human
rights in the face of changing scientific and technological contexts must not serve as merely decorative moral
dimension of scientific and technological policies, As Mukherjee (2012) posited, this approach “can form the very
heart of sustainable futures.”

2. How do the documents and their key principles presented in Table 2 position human rights in the
intersection of technology and humanity?
It encompasses the human culture, the necessary policies and protocol for a more humane and a just
society. It also affirms everyone’s right to participate in a benefit from scientific advance and be protected in
scientific misuses. The right to the benefits of science comes under the domain of culture, so it is usually examined
from a cultural rights perspective. The documents and their key principles also includes the environmental and
economic issues such pollution-free production, efficient resource use, biodiversity protection, and brain drains.

3. Why should human rights be at the core of scientific and technological advancement?
Because human rights are central to discussions on how science, technology, and development can promote
human well-being. Human rights are also rights to sustainability, human rights serves to protect the poor and
vulnerable from the excesses or market-driven science and technology.

4. What is the danger of using human rights as merely decorative moral dimension of scientific and
technological policies?
The danger that is possibly out there brought by decorative moral dimensions towards scientific and
technological policies is it could prove damaging or injurious to its usage. Using human rights as decorative moral
dimension of scientific and technological policies could lead to unjust and inhumane society. Uneven distribution of
goods would only grow, resulting to environmental degradation.

5. Do you agree with Mukherjee’s assertion that a human rights-based approach to science, technology, and
development can form the very heart of sustainable features? Explain.
Yes, human rights-based approach to science, technology, and development can lead us to a more
compassionate society. It will help us sustain and protect the poor and vulnerable from the excess of market-driven
science and technology. This approach can also guide us to a more effective and sustainable way of bridging the gap
between poor and rich countries on both tangible and intangible aspects. Eventually, all these will lead us to flourish
together through science and technology.