COL007

Science Technology and Society

The Role of Science and Technology in Modern Society

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Module on The Role of
Science and Technology in
Modern Society

Developments in science and technology are fundamentally altering the way people live, connect,
communicate and transact, with profound effects on economic development. The benefits that are certain to
flow from technological revolution in an increasingly connected world and knowledge-intensive world will be
seized by those countries and companies that are alive to the rapidly changing environment, and nimble
enough to take advantage of the opportunities. 

At the end of this module, you should be able to:

1. describe how scientific and technological developments affect society and the environment, and
2. identify the paradigm shifts in the Philippine history.

Reading Activity: Carefully examine the images and paragraphs from the YouTube video entitled 7 Pinoy
Invention na ginagamit ng buong mundo (7 Filipino Inventions that is used worldwide) by Jp Amazing
Stories.

The incubator was invented by Dr. Fe del Mundo. The karaoke was invented by Roberto del
It is used to maintain temperature for a preterm Rosario. It was patented in 1975. He also
baby. invented 30 other devices.

These are just some of the contributions of earlier civilization to what we have in science and our
society at the present time. More of these will be discussed in this module and in order through time.

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The videophone was invented by Gregorio Zara.
The first 2-way electronic video communicator in
1955. He also has 30 other patented devices.
Alco-diesel, land gas and super bunker formula
was invented by Rudy Lantano Sr. This product
saves fuel and prevents pollution by 95%.
Quick ink was invented by Francisco
Quisumbing. This quick drying and water-
resistant ink is used by Parker Pen.
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Science Technology and Society
The Role of Science and Technology in Modern Society
Erythromycin was invented by Dr. Abelardo
Aguilar. This is a popular antibiotic for bacterial
infection.
Disodado Banato invented single chip graphical
user interface that speeds up personal computers
as well as the Ethernet controller chip that helped
in creating the internet.
These are just some of the great
Filipino inventions. This shows the result of
the progress in the development of science
and technology in the Philippines and
worldwide. But, how was science and
technology practiced by the Filipinos before?
This, together with the influence of science
and technology in our current society will be
discussed in this module.
 COL007
Science Technology and Society
The Role of Science and Technology in Modern Society

History of Science and Technology in the Philippines

The need to develop a country's science and technology has generally been recognized as one of the
imperatives of socioeconomic progress in the contemporary world. This has become a widespread concern of
governments especially since the post-World War II years. Among Third World countries, an important
dimension of this concern was the problem of dependence on science and technology as this is closely tied
up with the integrity of their political sovereignty and economic self-reliance. There exists a continuing
imbalance between scientific and technological development among contemporary states with 98 per cent of
all research and development facilities located in developed countries and almost wholly concerned with the
latter's problems. Dependence or autonomy in science and technology has been a salient issue in conferences
sponsored by the United Nations (Caoili, 2017).
There is a very little reliable written information about Philippine society, culture and technology
before the arrival of the Spaniards in 1521. According to sources, there were numerous, scattered, thriving,
relatively self-sufficient and autonomous communities long before the Spaniards arrived. The early Filipinos
had attained a generally simple level of technological development, compared with those of the Chinese and
Japanese, but this was sufficient for their needs at that period of time.
Gradually, the early Filipinos learned to
make metal tools and implements of copper, gold,
bronze and, later, iron. These were practically the
same commodities of trade between the islands and
China, which the first Spanish colonial officials
recorded when they came to the Philippines more
than two centuries later.
The pre-colonial Filipinos were still highly
superstitious. The Spaniards found no temples or
places of worship. Although the Filipinos knew
how to read and write in their own system, this was
mainly used for messages and letters. They seem
not to have developed a written literary tradition at
that time. This would have led to a more systematic
accumulation and dissemination of knowledge, a Edged Weapons of The Philippines (Sandata)
condition that is necessary for the development of
science and technology.
Throughout the Spanish regime, University of Santo Tomas remained as the highest institution of
learning. It initially granted degrees in theology, philosophy and humanities. During the eighteenth century,
the faculty of jurisprudence and canonical law was established. In 1871, the schools of medicine and
pharmacy were opened. The study of pharmacy consisted of a preparatory course with subjects in natural
history and general chemistry and five years of studies in subjects such as pharmaceutical operations at the
school of pharmacy.

At the start of the American regime, a German physician of Manila submitted a report to the
authorities on the conditions at UST's medical college. The report mentions, among others, its lack of library
facilities, the use of outdated equipment. With the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 and the consequent
ease in travel and communications that it brought about, the liberal ideas and scientific knowledge of the
West also reached the Philippines. The prosperity that resulted from increased commerce between the

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Philippines and the rest of the world enabled Filipino students to go to Europe for professional advanced
studies.
Towards the end of the sixteenth century, the religious orders had established several charity
hospitals in the archipelago and in fact provided the bulk of this public service. There was very little
development in Philippine agriculture and industry during the first two centuries of Spanish rule. This was
largely due to the dependence of the Spanish colonizers on the profits from the Galleon or Manila-Acapulco
trade.
Meteorological studies were promoted by Jesuits who founded the Manila Observatory in1865. In
1901, the Observatory was made a central station of the Philippine Weather Bureau which was set up by the
American colonial authorities. It remained under the Jesuit scientists and provided not only meteorological
but also seismological and astronomical studies.
There was very little development in science and technology during the short-lived Philippine
Republic (1898-1900). The government took steps to establish a secular educational system by a decree of
19 October 1898, it created the Universidad Liter aria de Filipinas as a secular, state-supported institution of
higher learning.
Science and technology in the Philippines advanced rapidly during the American regime. This was
made possible by the simultaneous government encouragement and support for an extensive public
education system; the granting of scholarships for higher education in science and engineering; the
organization of science research agencies and establishment of science-based public services.
The establishment of the University of the Philippines satisfied the short-run needs for
professionally trained Filipinos in the colonial government's organization and programs. The University of
the Philippines remained the only publicly supported institution for higher education, and, since it could not
meet the increasing social demand for universities, was left to the initiative of enterprising Filipinos. For
many Filipinos, private education became the alternative for professional education.
Staff members of the Bureau of Government Laboratories held concurrent appointments as faculty
members of the College of Medicine of the University of the Philippines and other units of the University, as
well as appointments at the Philippine General Hospital. Officers of the Bureau of Health were likewise
appointed to the faculty of the College of Medicine. All of these scientists conducted their research work at
the Bureau of Science.
In 1935, the Philippine Commonwealth was inaugurated which was by this time completely under
Filipino management, continued to expand its public school system to accommodate the increasing number
of schoolchildren. There was a significant increase in trained scientists and engineers in the Philippines
before the Second World War.
In 1982, NSDB was further reorganized into a National Science and Technology Authority (NSTA)
composed of four research and Development Councils; Philippine Council for Agriculture and Resources
Research and Development; Philippine Council for Industry and Energy Research Development; Philippine
Council for Health Research and Development and the NRCP. The expanding number of science agencies
gave rise to a demand for high caliber scientists and engineers to undertake research and staff universities
and colleges. Hence, measures were taken towards the improvement of the country’s science and manpower.
In 1935, the Philippine Commonwealth was inaugurated and ushered in a period of transition to
political independence. The Constitution acknowledged the importance of promoting scientific development
for the economic development which was by this time completely under Filipino management. On the
whole, higher education was provided mainly by the private sector. This led to the combined significant
increase in trained scientists and engineers in the Philippines before the Second World War
The continuing dependence of the Philippine economy on the United States even after independence
in 1946, as a result of the free trade relations and the virtual imposition of the "parity" amendment to the
Philippine Constitution by the US Congress has perpetuated the predominantly agricultural and rural
character of Philippine economy and society. This dependent development of Philippine society and
economy has had serious repercussions for the advancement of Philippine science and technology.
Increasing social demand for higher education has led to the growth of highly trained professional
manpower, particularly scientists, engineers and physicians. However, because of the underdeveloped state
of the economy, many of these science-based professionals have been unemployed or underemployed.
Consequently, many of them have been forced to migrate to developed countries, thus creating a "brain
drain" or loss of valuable human resources for the Philippines. There is thus a need for the government to
critically re-examine the interrelations between past and present education and science policies with those of
its economic development policies in order to be able to redirect these towards the goal of attaining a strong,

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self-reliant economy and society. A well-developed national science and technology is a critical factor in the
achievement of this goal (Caoili, 2017).

Science in Transition
In the past, scientific methods and institutions tended to emphasize the study of individual natural
processes rather than systems, analysis more than synthesis, and understanding nature more than predicting
its behavior. And in many instances, science focused on short-term, small-scale problems, often in
monodisciplinary mode, rather than on long-term, large-scale or integrated problems. While these
approaches and perspectives have built up a considerable base of knowledge and led to a vast portfolio of
useful technologies, especially in the 20th century, many of the problems now facing humankind can be
solved through a holistic approach.
The impact of technological interventions on individual people, communities and the environment
are carefully considered. Science became more multidisciplinary and its practitioners continued to promote
cooperation and integration between the social and natural sciences. A holistic approach demanded that
science drew on the contributions of the humanities (such as history and philosophy), local knowledge
systems, aboriginal wisdom, and the wide variety of cultural values.
The influence of science on people’s lives is growing. While recent benefits to humanity are
unparalleled in the history of the human species, in some instances the impact has been harmful or the long-
term effects give causes for serious concerns. A considerable measure of public mistrust of science and fear
of technology exists today. In part, this stems from the belief by some individuals and communities that they
will be the ones to suffer the indirect negative consequences of technical innovations introduced to benefit
only a privileged minority. The power of science to bring about change places a duty on scientists to proceed
with great caution both in what they do and what they say. Scientists reflect on the social consequences of
the technological applications or dissemination of partial information of their work and explain to the public
and policy makers alike the degree of scientific uncertainty or incompleteness in their findings. At the same
time, though, they should not hesitate to fully exploit the predictive power of science, duly qualified, to help
people cope with environmental change, especially in cases of direct threats like natural disasters or water
shortages.
The current trend toward privatization in many countries is influencing the focus and practice
of science. While in some instances the net result may be to increase research capacity and knowledge in
selected areas, there is major concern that the trend may be undermining public-sector science, especially
fundamental research and efforts to solve socially important problems of no interest to commercial
enterprises. Patent protection of private intellectual property, for example, makes the job of public research
more difficult. There is also concern over the social implications of private ownership and control of
technology, and its effect on broad public scientific literacy, and on options for public choice.
Another major trend shaping science is globalization. The end of the Cold War, growing
technology demand from emerging economies, world recognition of the interconnectedness of the planet’s
biophysical systems and improved communications, especially via the Internet - all these forces are boosting
cross-border scientific cooperation and information exchange between individual researchers, institutions
and governments. However, much of the expansion is occurring in just a handful of scientifically advanced
countries. For science to be truly global, more effort is needed to ensure all countries, rich and poor, and a
wide range of world cultures are included in collaborative research and technology transfer. This is
especially important in areas like global climate change which will affect, sooner or later, all human beings.
With the right policies in place, joint scientific work in critical areas such as the Arctic, for example, could
serve as a model for other types of global cooperation.

Science Policy and Ethics

Scientific advances are never, in themselves, a guarantee of social benefit. Technology has to be
treated as a servant of society, not a master. Increasing commercial productivity, while at the same time
necessary, unemployment and poverty is not a socially acceptable solution. Science must be fully integrated
with broad societal needs, but this tenet is not yet fully accepted. One reason for public mistrust of science is
that ordinary people feel they will sometimes end up being the ones to suffer the costs of technological
innovation. It was suggested repeatedly at the North American meeting that the time has come to introduce
an international code of ethical conduct for scientists to ensure that science is directed for the public good.
Scientists in their daily work are sometimes isolated from mainstream society, making it difficult for
them to be clearly aware of public needs. Conversely, policy makers, in need of sometimes urgent advice on

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technical matters, sometimes urgent, may be unaware of the scientific expertise residing under their very
noses. Society has much to gain by the proactive involvement of scientists in policy making.
Medical biotechnology is a leading-edge area of science in which the pace of progress is perhaps
faster than society’s capacity to deal with the ethical and social implications. Genetic research, while
offering major benefits for disease diagnosis and treatment, also poses serious questions about the nature and
sanctity of human life and the protection of human rights. The possibility that genetic technology could be
commandeered by powerful groups to pursue goals in their own interests, but which may be socially
destructive or discriminatory is not to be considered lightly. It is an issue of particular importance to disabled
persons. Greater dialogue between scientists, policy makers and the public, especially those groups
disproportionately affected by technological developments, is clearly needed.
A major concern is that recent advances in health sciences will lead to the " genetification of
medicine", that is, a trend toward understanding and explaining human beings and human health largely in
terms of genes and their interactions. A worry here is that the role of environmental and social factors will
increasingly receive insufficient attention, leading to a one-dimensional view of diseases and disabilities.
A further ethical issue for science is what has been referred to as the "commodification" of basic human needs
such as food, shelter, clothing, fuel and health services. In many countries, many of these items have traditionally been
supplied through non-monetary social support structures, often family-based. As cash economies and government
welfare programs increasingly treat these necessities of life simply as commodities to be bought and sold, there is a
serious risk that technological innovations, stimulated by scientists working within a commercial framework, will be
exploited mainly by well-to-do minorities, with little or no benefit to the poor. The potential of science to improve
human social conditions in non-material ways needs much more attention.

ACTIVITY

Name: _________________________________ Course & Section: __________________

A. Direction: Identify the paradigm shift in the Philippine history on the specific era below.

PRE-COLONIAL SPANISH REGIME

AMERICAN REGIME PHILIPPINE COMMONWEALTH

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B. Direction: Below are five (5) scientific and technological developments in the lecture. Describe its
effect on the society and the environment.

Privatization (Patent)

Globalization

Medical Biotechnology

Genetification

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Commodification

Name: _________________________________ Year & Section: __________________

Direction: Comple the time line of the Philippine’s Science and Technology History inside the box.
Y OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLGY IN THE PHILIPINES

1871
Schools of
medicine and
pharmacy were
opened

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The Role of Science and Technology in Modern Society

Pre-colonial Era
Filipinos knew
how to read and
write in their own
system

Name: _________________________________ Course & Section: __________________

Direction: Look for an article (online, magazine or newspaper) that shows efforts made the government in
preventing “brain drain” in the Philippines. Paste the article inside the box below.

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Science Technology and Society
The Role of Science and Technology in Modern Society

Module on
The Role of Science and
Technology in Modern Society

Instruction: Encircle the letter of the correct answer.

Name:_____________________________________ Course & Section: __________________ Date:
1. Which of the following does NOT represent globalization?
__________________
A. World recognition of the interconnectedness through improved communications, especially via
the Internet
B. Expansion occurring in a handful of scientifically advanced countries
C. All countries, rich and poor, and a wide range of world cultures are included in collaborative
research and technology transfer
D. Joint scientific work in critical areas that will show global cooperation.
2. What area of science offers major benefits for disease diagnosis and treatment that also poses serious
questions about the nature and sanctity of human life and the protection of human rights?
A. Culture
B. Commodification
C. Medical biotechnology
D. Monodisciplinary mode
3. What has been an ethical issue for science which involves basic human needs such as food, shelter,
clothing, fuel and health services to be bought and sold?
A. Commodification
B. Constitution
C. Staff members
D. Cash economies
4. How many percent of research and development facilities are located in developed countries?
A. 52
B. 98
C. 21
D. 83
5. Which is NOT a characteristic of a Pre-colonial Filipinos?
A. Highly superstitious
B. Knew how to read and write in their own system
C. Have developed a written literary tradition
D. Writing was mainly used for messages and letters
6. What remained as the highest institution of learning throughout the Spanish regime?
A. De La Salle University
B. Ateneo de Manila University
C. University of the Philippines

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D. University of Santo Tomas

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7. What was promoted by Jesuits who founded the Manila Observatory that was made as a central station
of the Philippine Weather Bureau in 1901?
A. Meteorological studies
B. Medical Studies
C. Astronomical studies
D. Seismological studies
8. What establishment remained the only publicly supported institutions for higher education?
A. University of the Philippines
B. University of Santo Tomas
C. De La Salle University
D. Universidad Literaria de Filipinas
9. What is brain drain?
A. In ability to think because of challenges posed by threat to security
B. Not being able to study because of lack of support from the government
C. Failing the civil service examination more than 5 times
D. Migration to developed countries of highly trained professional manpower
10. What year was the Philippine Commonwealth was inaugurated and ushered in a period of transition to
political independence?
A. 1931
B. 1982
C. 1935
D. 1946

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