Advancement Technology That Being Harm to Community free essay sample

In this usage, technology refers to tools and machines that may be used to solve real-world problems. It is a far-reaching term that may include simple tools, such as a crowbar or wooden spoon, or more complex machines, such as a space station or particle accelerator. Tools and machines need not be material; virtual technology, such as computer software and business methods, falls under this definition of technology1. Technology also has more than one definition. One is the development and application of tools, machines, materials and processes that help people solve the problem. As human activity, technology began to be before the science and techniques. Technology is made on the basis of knowledge in order to facilitate human work. Technology often reflects the findings and tools that use the principles and process of scientific discovery recently found. Nevertheless, the discovery of a very long time as the wheel is also called a technology. We will write a custom essay sample on Advancement Technology That Being Harm to Community or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Other definition is a technology viewed from the present status of our knowledge in how to combine resources to produce the desired product. Therefore, we can see the changes in technology at the time of our knowledge increased. It can not be denied that technology brings much convenience to human, but it is also capable of destroying and harming humanity itself if human began to try something outside the limitations that are prohibited by religions. Therefore this paper studies the impact of advancement in technology on humanity. These effects include the effects of the benefit and harm to the humanity. However for this paper, I will emphasize the problems that arise when technology is misused by human for personal interests or needs. 1 http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Technology UHP 6013 Page 1 2. 0 Technology: An advantage or detriment. In the era of a borderless world, all information is at the fingertips. Technology brings us to a life change. Progress can not be denied. However, in the meantime, there are also denying the impact of technology. Various conclusions made by individuals based on observation of the effects either technological progress or lead to the destruction of the universe2. Whether we know it or not, whether we like it or not, technology strongly interacts with almost every facet of our lives. It has also come to interact with almost every facet of the natural world. There is no doubt that technology has transformed our lives, and is still doing so at an ever increasing pace, reaching every aspect of living and has a stake in the development of global society3. Technology is not just a background to the way we live our lives: rather it is a major factor affecting all aspects of individual and communal lives; it is an omnipresent feature of our lives that shapes the way we work, play, live, think, and how we interact with each other. Thus it has an enormous impact on daily life, and causes change at an ever increasing rate. It is clears that technology not only changes the possibilities open to us; it shapes the way we think. It shapes culture to a major degree, while culture also influences technology, within the limits of what is scientifically and technologically possible4. Technology is a tool, not just a reward, for growth and development. But it also can not be denied have an adverse impact in national development, including environmental and social problems. All this is inevitable because sometimes people are busy chasing progress and sophistication so complacent with the adverse effects that would befall us. All discoveries and technological inventions born of the human mind sometimes misses the real purpose for not according to the principles 2 3 Norkumala bt. Awang, Sains dan Teknologi: Suatu kelebihan atau kemudaratan? , 2006 Tom Philbin , The greatest inventions of all time: A ranking Past to Present (New York: Citadel Press), 2003 4 Melvin Kranzberg and William H Davenport, Technology and Culture: An Anthology (New York: Meridian), 1972 UHP 6013 Page 2 outlined by Islam. Not surprisingly, many practices are also invited to the detriment of technology if the boundary of science, exploration does not meet what Islam presented. The finding from the study of science and technology development has helped us to do various activities and allows us to communicate as much distance or destination is no longer a barrier to us carrying out any work activities. In fact, the findings from the study of science and technology, man can find a variety of cure. This includes the technology of cloning and stem cell. This technology is getting warm attention from all parties. There is no doubt resulted from the development of this technology is able to transfer genetics from one organism to another organism. This would result in an organism similar to the master. The problem, it is feared by the world community that it would be abused by certain parties for the purpose of human cloning. It is too deviated from the path of true religion. Similarly, stem cell technology is much merit in helping to overcome many diseases. But what is feared that if the use of embryonic stem cell cloning to be abused as well as for humans. Technology hasnt really harmed humanity; humanity has harmed humanity. The machines and computers and everything mechanical dont do any harm; the harm comes from their overuse, their misuse, and their abuse by humans. We can be our own worse enemies; but our enemies are not the machines or the technology. Therefore, a great deal of technological advancement is being misused, and in this, the human issues not dealt with are magnified and made more powerful via technology. UHP 6013 Page 3 3. 0 Cloning Technology The issue of cloning is one issue that was actively discussed by the Western Scientist at the moment. This issue is gaining momentum on trial when advances in technology have improved the genetic technology. In 1997, Dr Ian Wilmut and colleagues at the Roslin Institute in Scotland developed an artificial method of obtaining mammalian clones from mature animals and thus permit asexual reproduction in mammals. Dolly (figure 1) the sheep was the first such cloned mammal cloning in other species, like frogs, had been done before5. This has led members of the genetic scientists started thinking to develop human cloning. Figure 1: The world’s first cloned mammal; Dolly the sheep (left) and its surrogate mother (right) Clones are genetically identical organisms. In other words, clone is an organism with the same DNA or genome. Organisms with asexual reproduction, like many microorganisms that merely divide, usually have millions of clones because only rare mutations are a cause of genetic alterations. In mammals, including humans, clones can originate due to divisions of the egg, often called identical or monozygotic twins. Having the same genome does not imply that two organisms will be exactly the same. Even identical twins are different to some degree. During development random events occur, called developmental noises, which are unique to each organism. In addition, changes in 5 Poland S. C. , and Bishop L. J. Bioethics and Cloning, Kennedy Institute of Ethics Journal 12(3), 2002 UHP 6013 Page 4 education, nurturing, and other environmental factors can lead to noticeable differences between adult organisms with the same genome. Like the sheep cloning technique performed by Dr. Ian Wilmut, human cloning or any organism can be created by transferring the nucleus (which carries the genetic information) fr om the cell selected organisms into the egg that have not been fertilized. The egg nucleus is removed, replaced with the nucleus of last selected and allowing the fertilization process without using sperm. The cells will divide and reproduce in the laboratory. Then the good cell will be selected, inserted into the uterus of a surrogate mother and then transforms into fetus. This clone produced equal or nearly equal to the original organism. At least, this clone produced 90% of inherited characteristics of the original organism (donor) and also leads characteristics (DNA) of a surrogate mother6. Human clones are as twins on the donor, but he was born late compared to the twins. As a normal pair of identical twins, human clones and the donor has a different fingerprint. In fact, human cloning is not an impossible task. What needed are knowledge, expertise and equipment to complete7. However, should it be done? What are the benefits of human cloning to produce this? Does not it violate the requirements of God, which stipulates that human birth or offspring through the institution of marriage. 6 Robert G. McKinnell Marie A. Di Berardino, The Biology of Cloning: History and Rationale, 49 BIOSCIENCE 875, 880-81 (1999) (discussing development of mammalian cloning via nuclear transfer) 7 Dato’ Setia Hj. Mohd. Tamyes bin Abd. Wahid, Pengklonan Pembiakan Manusia dan Perubatan Dari Perspektif Hukum Syara, 2007 UHP 6013 Page 5 Figure 2: The process of Cloning 4. 0 Eve: First Human Clone? According to the Clonaid Corporation the first cloned baby, named Eve, was born on December 26, 2002, shocked the world. A few days later, on January 3, 2003, another cloned baby was allegedly born in Europe8. I am very, very pleased to announce that the first baby clone was born, said Clonaid CEO, Bridget Boisselier at a press conference on December 27, 2002. Boisselier said that Eve was born at an undisclosed location to a 31-year-old human mother, who’s DNA was identical to the child. Boisselier did not present the mother or child at the time, and has not produced evidence 8 Shaikh Mohd Saifuddeen Shaikh Mohd Salleh, Pengklonan manusia lebih banyak bawa mudarat, Berita Harian 2003 UHP 6013 Page 6 of the childs existence in the years since9. The baby, created through the same techniques as Dolly the sheep. However, Boisselier refused to say where the baby was born, identify her parents, or even provide a picture. Clearly, the announcement is creating a flood of questions: ethical, medical, political, religious and some which belonged solely to the field of science fiction up to this point. Moral issues are also paramount in the debate. Most scientists, already skeptical of Boiselliers ability to produce a human clone, will probably demand to know exactly how the DNA testing was done before they believe the announcement. While advocates of cloning say it has the potential to create organs for life-saving transplant operations and many of them also opposed to abortion rights believe cloning interferes with natural law. In addition, some object because the process of cloning could involve the creation and destruction of human embryos on a massive scale. Human clones are not the same as identical twins. To some, cloning is the greatest breakthrough in our age. To others, cloning causes great concern. Cloning human means creating a genetic copy of the donor. While this certainly means an identical appearance, it could also duplicate some preferences such as eating choices. However, personality cannot be cloned. Personality is made up of life experiences, and the clone would have different experiences from its donor. Many possible disadvantages of human cloning exist, but much of the opposition can be expressed in the areas of medical, health and ethical dilemmas10. 10 Beezy Marsh and Tim Utton, Baby clone or big con? Daily Mail (2003) Dylan Murray, Possible Disadvantages of Human Cloning, http://www. ehow. com (2004) UHP 6013 Page 7 The greatest danger human cloning poses is a health risk to babies born through this procedure if it were attempted with current technology. Research in animals has shown that while cloning is possible, th e majority of animals die at early stages of development or shortly after birth. Moreover, a number of cloned animals are born with defects11. Despite anecdotal claims, human cloning has never been performed, yet one serious possibility is that human clones would also feature birth defects. Possible causes for defects in clones are epigenetic changes. Clones derived from adult cells do not have the epigenetic patterns found in a newly born, and so they could carry defects. Even some of the human cloning was failed (figure 3) during research. For this reason, many scientists oppose reproductive cloning in humans because of abnormalities seen in cloned animals. Figure 3: The failure process of human cloning 11 Dan W. Brock, Ph. D. Brown University, Cloning Human Beings (2003) UHP 6013 Page 8 5. 0 Effect of Clone Technology from Islamic View. The issue of human reproductive cloning have started to surface and dealt with by the world community in late 2002. This debate becomes a polemic among scientists and political leaders. Some countries it is clearly put human cloning as an ethic crime. Clearly stated that human cloning can produce without a valid marriage or no mixing occurs between the male and female. Act of human cloning is seen as a human effort to act outside the regulations specified by Allah S. W. T. of human birth or offspring through marriage12.. As we know, Islam sees the relationship between men and women in a valid marriage as important for the purpose of obtaining offspring. This is explained by Allah S. W. T. through His words in the Surah Al-Nisa’: O ye people! Fear your Lord, Who created you (Adam) from a single soul and created there (Adam) from its mate (Eve – Adam’s Wife) and from them twain spread many men and women; and fear Allah, in Whose name you appeal to one another and fear Him particularly respecting ties of relationship. Verily Allah watches over you13. The act of cloning will produce a generation of people who try to degrade the creation of human that exalted by Allah S. W. T. Cloning will produce a generation of people who can create human and will produce people who would deny the power of God. This act has caused people feel like he has the power and able to create and determine the occurrence of other human according to his needs. This will drag the man to lose faith because they thought that human beings can create human beings, just as Allah created the worlds creation. In the cloning process, it does not require the existence of sperm to give birth to a baby then it would be problems on the status of DNA. If it comes from her husband, is her husband would be regarded as father of the child or as a twin clone? In other words, 12 Shaikh Mohd Saifuddeen Shaikh Mohd Salleh, Implikasi pengklonan ke atas fitrah manusia, Pusat Ekonomi, Kajian Sosial dan Teknologi, Institut Kefahaman Islam Malaysia (IKIM) 2003 13 The Holy Quran, Surah Al-Nisa’ verse 1 UHP 6013 Page 9 baby clone is a genetic replica of the DNA contributor14. There are few question will be arise and the questions are what the relationship between the parent clones is? Is it the same as child relationship with the father? Or is it because the genetic characteristics of both are the same, they are twins? This is something are very concern in Islam because the status of lineage will involve a variety of complications in family practice. This is explained by Allah S. W. T. hrough His words in the Surah Al-Furqan verse 54: And He it is Who created man from water, and has made for him kindred by descent and kindred by marriage; and thy Lord is All-Powerful15. Kinship of family is very prominently in Islam. Islam emphasizes the need of the family are kept. Cloning technology will undermine the family institution emphasized by Islam. In addition, a further implication is the commercialization aspect of a womans vagina. Cloning technology paved the way for women to become su rrogate mothers by let out their uterus throughout pregnancy to allow the baby clone is born. People should take lessons from the problems arising from the use of artificial reproductive technologies like IVF using a surrogate mother where many legal disputes arising because the baby struggle between the surrogate mother and the real parents. What is clear is that cloning technology will open up more space for such disputes between a surrogate mother with the donor DNA. Furthermore there are too many risks in carrying out the cloning process. This is actually one of the biggest reasons why cloning cannot happen; there is too much risk of producing imperfect clones. During the process of cloning, it is possible that the transferred cell develops mutations such that it can develop disease. Without thinking about these errors that can be made during the process of cloning, it is too risky to produce clones; it would produce too much pain and dangers to the cloning. An example of this case is the first successful mammal clone Dolly the sheep. Even though Dolly was a successful, it eventually developed a disease called arthritis, which is an extremely painful bone disease. The process of cloning is not a simple thing that is shown in 14 Shaikh Mohd Saifuddeen Shaikh Mohd Salleh, Implikasi pengklonan ke atas fitrah manusia, Pusat Ekonomi, Kajian Sosial dan Teknologi, Institut Kefahaman Islam Malaysia (IKIM) 2003 15 The Holy Quran, Surah Al-Furqan verse 54 UHP 6013 Page 10 movies, even if the cloning was successful; the clone might have abnormal organs or immune system problems16. Cloning technology also will provide space for the genes are traded. Famous artists, intellectuals, prominent intellectuals and prominent leaders likely can market their DNA to buyers who wants to have children with genetic characteristics similar to them. As Robin Marantz Henig said Cloning may turn out to be less prevalent and less scary than we imagined. Market forces might make reproductive cloning impractical and scientific advancements may make it unnecessary. However, despite this controversial issue, we must accept the fact that this cloning technology is a great technology and tool in this century. Almost, many scientist have mastered and improve this technology for medical research through therapeutic cloning to produce specific tissues and cells, nerves, muscles and certain organs, but also to treat certain diseases such as cancer, Alzheimers and Parkinsons. As Prof Mohd Nizam, Head of Human Genetics, International Medical University (IMU) said, we do not do the work of Allah S. W. T in the affairs of human beings. This matter (including the birth of Eve) will not happen if it does not get the imprimatur of Allah S. W. T. What is important, any questions involving faith, should be immediately corrected through discussions of scientists and scholars, before Muslims clashed with each other that may deteriorate the people themselves17. This is because Islam is religions that keep benefits to their adherent. If something is contrary to nature and does not meet towards good, but cause destruction, Islam certainly does not require its use. Islam is not to prevent or oppose the development in technology. Instead Islam are encouraged their adherent to explore and develop new technology but it should have a clear boundaries between what is permissible and what is prohibited. 16 Nestor Micheli Morales, Psychological and Ideological Aspects of Human Cloning: A Transition to a Tranhumanist Psychology, Journal of Evolution and Technology Vol. 0 Issue 2 – August 2009 17 Salina Abdullah Kontroversi klon manusia, Berita Harian, 6 Jan 2003 UHP 6013 Page 11 6. 0 Conclusion. Technology is a dynamic and rapidly changing field. Scientific advances occur at an increasingly rapid rate and the impact on society increases. Although individuals have to cope and adapt to changes brought about by developments in technology, it is likely that the acceptance or resistance to change may not reflect the tru e belief or understanding of the individual. In this paper I attempt to show the advancements in technology may benefit humanity or may come at the risk of doing harm. I also tried to highlight the issue of cloning technology which is currently getting more attention from community. Cloning technology one of the technological advances which misapplied by the scientists and researcher world for personal gain. Human cloning has until now received little serious and careful ethical attention, because it was typically dismissed as science fiction, and it stirs deep, but difficult to articulate, uneasiness and even revulsion in many people. Any ethical assessment of human cloning at this point must be tentative and provisional. As we face the choices presented by technology, we must remember to weigh these issues against the impact on the individual, society, and the natural environment. Result of advancement in technologies now indeed much has been benefits as well to humanity embedded are also disadvantages. Thus any progress should be based on Islamic values and within the limits stipulated discovery of knowledge. Then the progress and development we have achieved is not distorted and does not harm the community because sometimes we create the harm itself. Finally, we must accept that development of technologies shape the way we think and act. The most important here are the tools and methods we use for transforming the goals of society into the choices we make. UHP 6013 Page 12 References 1. 2. http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Technology. Norkumala bt. Awang, Sains dan Teknologi: Suatu kelebihan atau kemudaratan? 2006. 3. Tom Philbin , The greatest inventions of all time: A ranking Past to Present (New York: Citadel Press), 2003. 4. Melvin Kranzberg and William H Davenport, Technology and Culture: An Anthology (New York: Meridian), 1972. 5. Poland S. C. , and Bishop L. J. , Bioethics and Cloning, Kennedy Institute of Ethics Journal 12(3), 2002. 6. Robert G. McKinnell Marie A. Di Berardino, The Biology of Cloning: History and Rationale, 49 BIOSCIENCE 875, 880-81 (1999) (discussing development of mammalian cloning via nuclear transfer). 7. Dato’ Setia Hj. Mohd. Tamyes bin Abd. Wahid, Pengklonan Pembiakan Manusia dan Perubatan Dari Perspektif Hukum Syara, 2007. 8. Shaikh Mohd Saifuddeen Shaikh Mohd Salleh, Pengklonan manusia lebih banyak bawa mudarat, Berita Harian 2003. 9. Beezy Marsh and Tim Utton, Baby clone or big con? Daily Mail (2003). 10. Dylan Murray, Possible Disadvantages of Human Cloning, http://www. ehow. com (2004). 11. Dan W. Brock, Ph. D. Brown University, Cloning Human Beings (2003). 12. Shaikh Mohd Saifuddeen Shaikh Mohd Salleh, Implikasi pengklonan ke atas fitrah manusia, Pusat Ekonomi, Kajian Sosial dan Teknologi, Institut Kefahaman Islam Malaysia (IKIM) 2003. 13. The Holy Quran, Surah Al-Nisa’ verse 1. 14. The Holy Quran, Surah Al-Furqan verse 54. 15. Nestor Micheli Morales, Psychological and Ideological Aspects of Human Cloning: A Transition to a Tranhumanist Psychology, Journal of Evolution and Technology Vol. 20 Issue 2 – August 2009. 16. Salina Abdullah Kontroversi klon manusia, Berita Harian, 6 Jan 2003 UHP 6013 Page 13