Journal 1

My first real life situation is based on the advance in creation of synthetic human
embryos. Scientists have grown an entity that closely resembles an early human
embryo, without using sperm, eggs or a womb. It even released hormones that turned a
pregnancy test positive in the lab. (Gallagher, “Scientists Grow Whole Model of Human
Embryo, without Sperm or Egg”)

The real life situation relates to natural sciences, mainly biology, as the ambition for
embryo models is to provide an ethical way of understanding the earliest moments of
our lives (Gallagher, “Scientists Grow Whole Model of Human Embryo, without Sperm
or Egg”). It also links to history as synthetic embryos could help researchers study the
earliest stages of human development and explain pregnancy loss which has been a big
issue in the past. Among the optional themes, my RLS links to technology as the kind of
knowledge produced by technology is not always ethical in terms of nature or purpose
(Gulinck). It also links to religion as some religions might be against certain ways of
producing knowledge.

This leads me to ask a question: How do we ethically spell out the boundaries of
progress in knowledge that has been developed with the help of technology? This is a
very important question as technology has allowed for the circulation of knowledge at a
much faster rate than was imaginable in the past (Gulinck). However, technology has
also affected the way in which we gather knowledge which might provoke ethical
debates.

Different perspectives affect the way we view technological development and its ethics.
In my RLS, one perspective possibly consisting of scientists might justify the
development of embryos synthetically to enable us to study this period, which are
urgently needed to help to understand infertility and early pregnancy loss (Gallagher,
“First Synthetic Human Embryo Raises Ethical Issues”). Embryo models can also help
scientists explain how different types of cells emerge, witness the earliest steps in
building the body's organs or understand inherited or genetic diseases (Gallagher,
“Scientists Grow Whole Model of Human Embryo, without Sperm or Egg”). The
opposing perspective might argue about the fact that extracting the stem cells destroys
the blastocyst. It is important to grasp the full force of the claim that the embryo is
morally equivalent to a person, a fully developed human being (Sandel). This might be
opposed by groups influenced by religion and politics.

The RLS is important because it makes us question our beliefs on the way knowledge is
collected. It is important to view the unethical consequences of development of
knowledge and define boundaries on how far we are willing to go for development and
progress as humans.

Journal 2

My second real life situation is about the earthquake-hit Syria that refused aid from
countries. A Syrian government official is said to have abruptly refused the humanitarian
aid Israel offered to the earthquake-hit country, denying the allegation that it had
requested aid from Israel (“Earthquake: Syria Refuses Aid from Israel Saying It Never
Recognised Israel”). The government has announced plans to build new apartment
buildings for those affected by the disaster and it will cover 60% of the costs and those
affected will pay 40%. The loans will be able to be repaid over a period of 20 years.
Many people are against this as they feel that the government should pay the full
amount.

The real life situation links to natural sciences as it deals with the issue of natural
disasters and its impact on humans. It also deals with human sciences because it is
concerned with the welfare of people that have undergone because of the devastating
disaster. It links to history too because the way the past feuds between Syria and Israel
are interpreted affect the citizens of Syria now.

The knowledge question from this is: How does politics have an impact on how
knowledge is created and distributed? This is an important question because politics
plays a direct role in defining our perspectives and manipulating them. Our cognitive
biases are also manipulated by it and we should evaluate if it is in our favor or not. For
example, in my real life situation, international politics is affecting the way people are
viewing government intervention to help them.

Different perspectives might affect the way we view the question. A culture which is
very influenced by politics might think that it is normal for politicians to intervene in the
development of knowledge and manipulate it, but a culture that has very little political
intervention might think it is morally wrong for politicians to exploit our biases.

Works Cited
“Earthquake: Syria Refuses Aid from Israel Saying It Never Recognised Israel.”

English.madhyamam.com, 7 Feb. 2023, english.madhyamam.com/middle-east/earthquake-syria-

refuses-aid-from-israel-saying-it-never-recognised-israel-1126280. Accessed 15 Sept. 2023.

Gallagher, James. “First Synthetic Human Embryo Raises Ethical Issues.” BBC News, 15 June 2023,

www.bbc.com/news/health-65914934.

---. “Scientists Grow Whole Model of Human Embryo, without Sperm or Egg.” BBC News, 6 Sept.

2023, www.bbc.com/news/health-66715669.

Gulinck, An. “Knowledge and Politics.” TOK 2022: THEORY of KNOWLEDGE WEBSITE for the

IBDP, www.tok2022.net/knowledge-and-politics.html.

---. “Knowledge and Technology.” TOK 2022: THEORY of KNOWLEDGE WEBSITE for the IBDP,

www.tok2022.net/knowledge-and-technology.html.

Sandel, Michael J. “Embryo Ethics | News.” Spinal Cord Injury Zone!, 8 Apr. 2007,

spinalcordinjuryzone.com/news/2412/embryo-ethics. Accessed 27 Sept. 2023.

“Turkey-Syria Earthquakes: Living in the Rubble, 6 Months on – DW – 08/05/2023.” Dw.com,

www.dw.com/en/turkey-syria-earthquakes-still-living-in-the-rubble-6-months-later/a-66444041.

Accessed 15 Sept. 2023.