4.

1 When Technology and Humanity Cross

Introduction
Good day! We'll talk about human rights and how they relate to science, technology, and development. We enjoy the comforts and joy
of using modern gadgets because we live in a modern world. Everything used to be done manually, including washing clothes, fetching
water, cooking food with firewood, and even communicating with our loved ones. As time passes, we become increasingly engrossed
in these inventions, oblivious to the fact that they are threatening our very existence as human beings. Are these inventions beneficial
to us, or are they already infringing on our rights because they go beyond the parameters? These are the critical issues that we must
address. 

Intended Learning Outcomes

At the end of the discussion, you are expected to

1. explain the human rights-based approach to science, technology, and development; 

2. examine the importance of human rights to science and technological advancements;
3. discuss the principles of the three key documents that ensure the well-being of humans in the midst of scientific progress and
technological development; and
4. reflect on the importance of upholding human rights in science, technology, and development.
Discussion
To start with the topic,  please click the video on digital transformation that shows what happens when technology and humanity cross.
Make sure to comprehend and analyze and be ready for a discussion. 

Digital transformation: are you ready for exponential change? Futurist Gerd Leonhard, TFAStudios
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ystdF6jN7hc)

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ystdF6jN7hc)

H - human beings'
U - unequivocal
M - means 
A - and privilege that 
N - need to be 
R-  respected
I  - in order to
G - gain success for humanity
T  - today and tomorrow in relation to 
S-  Science and Technology
What are human rights?
Human rights are rights inherent to all human beings, whatever our nationality, place of residence, sex, national or ethnic origin, color,
religion, language, and the like.
Human rights in the face of technological and scientific advancement are critical factors in one's journey toward a good life. Protecting
the well-being and protecting the dignity of the human person must be at the core of continued scientific and technological progress
and development. Such is the focus of the human rights-based approach to science, technology, and society by S. Romi Mukherjee.

The following are the three important documents: 

1. Universal Declaration of Human Rights -This document affirms everyone's right to participate in and benefit from
scientific advances, and be protected from scientific misuse. The right to the benefits of science comes under the domain of
'culture,' so it is usually examined from a cultural rights perspective.
2. UNESCO Recommendation of the Status of Scientific Researchers- This document that all advances in scientific and
technological knowledge should solely be geared toward the welfare of the global citizens, and calls upon member states
to develop necessary protocol policies to monitor and secure this objective. Countries are asked to show that science and
technology are integrated into policies that aim to ensure a more humane and just society.
3. UNESCO Declaration on the Use of Scientific Knowledge- This document states, "Today, more than ever, science and its
applications are indispensable for development. All levels of government and the private sector should provide enhanced
support for building up adequate and evenly distributed scientific and technological capacity through appropriate
education and research programs as an indispensable foundation for economic, social, cultural, and environmentally
sound development. This is particularly urgent for developing countries." This declaration encompasses issues such as pollution-
free production, efficient resources use, biodiversity protection, and brain drains.

A human rights- 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 on human rights in the face of the changing scientific and technological contexts must not serve as merely a
decorative moral dimension of scientific and technological policies but rather the very heart of sustainable futures.

Human rights should be integrated into the journey toward the ultimate good.  They should guide humans not only to flourish as
individual members of society but also to assist each other in flourishing collectively as a society. Human rights are rights to
sustainability, as Mukherjee put it. They may function as the "golden mean," particularly by protecting the weak, poor, and
vulnerable from deficiencies and excesses of science and technology. By imposing upon science and technology the moral and
ethical duty to protect and uphold human rights, there can be a more effective and sustainable approach to bridging the gap between
poor and rich countries on both tangible and intangible aspects. Ultimately, all these will lead humans to flourish together through
science and technology.

Summary
In summary, the good life entails living in a just and progressive society whose citizens have the freedom to flourish. The
human person has the autonomy to make choices that may enable the flourishing of his/her self and society. To be able to
attain such a good life, one must need to exercise, and to protect his or her rights for human dignity is the ultimate core of
man's existence. Thus, the United Nations proclaimed UDHR  as a global standard to ensure that the rights of a person are
recognized and appreciated by individuals regardless of race, gender, religion, and education. Also, whatever endeavors one
undertakes, whether scientific or not, one must be aware that human rights must be respected.

Source(s)
Nieva, A. and Quinto E. (2019). Science, Technology, and Society.  C and E Publishing House, Quezon City

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