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University of California, Los Angeles

ENG COMP3
Prof. Daniel Sussman
How are new technologies changing us as individuals and as a society? How might these
changes have far-reaching consequences to our lives, culture, and/or species in the
future?
Arshnoor Kohli

New technologies are changing us in many ways, both as individuals and as a society.

One way that new technologies are changing us is by affecting our information

consumption patterns, which can lead to the reinforcement of confirmation bias.

Confirmation bias arises when people look for and interpret data in a way that confirms

their preexisting opinions while ignoring or dismissing data that contradicts those

beliefs.

With the rise of social media and personalized news feeds, people can increasingly

curate their information bubbles, exposing them only to news and opinions that align

with their beliefs. It creates echo chambers, where people are less exposed to diverse

viewpoints and more likely to engage in confirmation bias. In addition, algorithms used

by social media platforms and search engines often prioritize content that is more likely

to be engaging, which can lead to a proliferation of clickbait and sensationalist

headlines that are more likely to confirm pre existing biases than to challenge them.

These changes in our information consumption patterns can have far-reaching

consequences for our lives, culture, and species in the future. For example, the

reinforcement of confirmation bias can lead to a polarized society where people are less

likely to engage with or even consider different perspectives, making it harder to find
common ground and solve problems. It can also spread misinformation, as people are

more likely to believe and share information that confirms their preexisting beliefs, even

if that information is false or misleading.

Therefore, by consuming a variety of sources of information and engaging with people

with different perspectives from our own we can avoid the pitfalls of confirmation bias

and work towards a more informed and inclusive society.

CRISPR is a revolutionary gene editing technology that allows scientists to make

precise modifications to DNA. CRISPR refers to a unique sequence of DNA first

discovered in bacteria. It can revolutionize medicine and agriculture but raises ethical

questions and concerns about the potential unintended consequences of genome

editing.

CRISPR works by using a particular enzyme called Cas9, which can be used to add,

delete, or replace specific genes within an organism's genome. This can revolutionize

medicine, agriculture, and other fields by allowing scientists to cure genetic diseases,

and create new crop varieties. One of the critical advantages of CRISPR is its precision.

Unlike previous gene editing technologies, CRISPR allows scientists to target specific

genes with a high degree of accuracy. This reduces the risk of unintended

consequences and increases the efficiency of the editing process.

CRISPR is still a relatively new technology, and scientists are exploring its potential

uses and limitations. There are also ethical questions surrounding the use of gene

editing in humans, and there are concerns about the potential unintended

consequences of editing the genome of organisms in the environment.

Overall, CRISPR represents a significant breakthrough in genetic engineering, and it

can potentially revolutionize many aspects of our lives and society.

One way CRISPR is changing us as individuals and as a society is by offering the

possibility of curing genetic diseases. By editing the genome, scientists may be able to

cure diseases such as cystic fibrosis and sickle cell anemia, which could improve the

lives of millions of people worldwide and reduce the burden on healthcare systems.

However, CRISPR also raises ethical questions about using gene editing in humans.

For example, some scientists have proposed using CRISPR to edit the genome of

human embryos to prevent genetic diseases from being passed on to future

generations. While this could eliminate some genetic diseases, it raises concerns about

the potential for unintended consequences or the creation of "designer babies."

Moreover, using CRISPR in agriculture could have far-reaching consequences for our

food systems and the environment. By editing the genes of crops or livestock, scientists

can create new, more resilient species that can better withstand environmental

stressors such as drought or disease. However, there are concerns about the potential

for unintended consequences, such as spreading genetically modified organisms

(GMOs) into wild populations or creating monocultures vulnerable to new diseases or

pests.

While CRISPR offers the possibility of significant benefits in medicine and agriculture, it

also raises ethical questions and concerns about the potential unintended

consequences of gene editing. As we continue to develop and use this technology, we

must carefully consider its implications for our lives, culture, and species in the future.
While CRISPR can revolutionize many aspects of our lives and society, it also has

potential negative effects. Some of the adverse effects of CRISPR include the following:

1. Off-target effects: CRISPR is not always 100% accurate, and there is a risk of the

Cas9 enzyme cutting the wrong section of DNA, leading to unintended

consequences. This could cause genetic mutations, negatively affecting an

organism's health or the environment.

2. Ethical concerns: Using CRISPR in humans raises several ethical questions,

including concerns about the potential for "designer babies" and the creation of

new forms of inequality based on genetic traits.

3. Unintended consequences: Using CRISPR in agriculture and the environment

could have unintended consequences, such as spreading genetically modified

organisms (GMOs) into the wild or creating new strains of pests or diseases

resistant to current treatments.

It is crucial to consider CRISPR's potential adverse effects carefully and regulate its use

responsibly to minimize any potential risks. As with any new technology, it is essential to

balance the potential benefits with the potential risks to ensure that the overall impact of

CRISPR is positive.

Furthermore, the development and use of CRISPR may exacerbate existing social

inequalities, as access to this technology may be limited to specific groups, leading to

genetic discrimination and widening social divides. There are also concerns about using

CRISPR for military or unethical purposes, such as developing bioweapons or

enhancing human abilities beyond what is considered ethical.

Therefore, the far-reaching consequences of CRISPR technology may include

significant changes to our social, cultural, and ethical norms and the potential for

unintended consequences and societal disruption. We must proceed cautiously and

consider the ethical implications of using this technology to maximize its benefits while

minimizing its potential harm.