Inventions & InnovationsInventions & InnovationsUnit #8Unit #8Mrs. MattsonMrs. Mattson

Carl Ben Eielson Middle SchoolCarl Ben Eielson Middle School

ETP 2006—Tanya MattsonThis material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0402616. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Unit #8Unit #8Impacts of Invention & InnovationImpacts of Invention & Innovation

Information for this presentation was taken Information for this presentation was taken from the CATTS curriculum Unit #8 and from the CATTS curriculum Unit #8 and

Valley City State University Unit #8 Valley City State University Unit #8 readings, unless otherwise noted.readings, unless otherwise noted.

Technology can have positive and Technology can have positive and negative impacts on individuals, negative impacts on individuals, society and the environment.society and the environment.

Humans have the capability and Humans have the capability and responsibility to constrain or promote responsibility to constrain or promote technological development.technological development.

Technology, by itself, is neither Technology, by itself, is neither good or bad, but decisions about good or bad, but decisions about the use of products or systems the use of products or systems can result in desirable or can result in desirable or undesirable consequences.undesirable consequences.

Technological Literacy Technological Literacy

Is not only what students should know and be Is not only what students should know and be able to do, but what all citizens in a able to do, but what all citizens in a technology driven society need to know and technology driven society need to know and be able to do.be able to do.

Basic technological literacy is necessary to Basic technological literacy is necessary to make informed decisions about technology make informed decisions about technology and its impacts.and its impacts.

Technological literacy is the ability to use, Technological literacy is the ability to use, manage, assess, and understand technology.manage, assess, and understand technology.

Technological Literacy has been defined many Technological Literacy has been defined many ways, but all of them include similar ways, but all of them include similar characteristics:characteristics:

Abilities to make decisions about technologyAbilities to make decisions about technology Possession of basic literacy skills required to Possession of basic literacy skills required to

solve technology problemssolve technology problems Ability to make wise decisions about uses of Ability to make wise decisions about uses of

technologytechnology Ability to apply knowledge, tools, and skills for Ability to apply knowledge, tools, and skills for

the benefit of societythe benefit of society Ability to describe the basic technology systems Ability to describe the basic technology systems

of society.of society.

Impacts of TechnologyImpacts of Technology

The impact of technology is viewed as the The impact of technology is viewed as the solutions to problems and the new solutions to problems and the new problems created by the solutionsproblems created by the solutions

Optimization is the process of seeking or Optimization is the process of seeking or developing the best solution to a problemdeveloping the best solution to a problem

The best solution for a problem is not likely The best solution for a problem is not likely to be found the first time. This makes it to be found the first time. This makes it possible for future developments to possible for future developments to improve or optimize the product.improve or optimize the product.

Every new technological advance or Every new technological advance or solution has some hidden and known solution has some hidden and known negative effects.negative effects.

These negative effects or compromises These negative effects or compromises are called: are called: TRADE-OFFS.TRADE-OFFS.

Negative aspects of a product could affect Negative aspects of a product could affect people and the environment in ways that people and the environment in ways that are sometimes more harmful than the are sometimes more harmful than the solution.solution.

When new technology is developed, When new technology is developed, decisions are made regarding the amount decisions are made regarding the amount of risk that is acceptable in attaining a of risk that is acceptable in attaining a solution.solution.

Many of these risks were not considered Many of these risks were not considered as carefully as they should have been and as carefully as they should have been and we are now just starting to see their we are now just starting to see their effects.effects.

Technological ChangeTechnological Change

The evolution of technology has been a The evolution of technology has been a series of progressive improvements to series of progressive improvements to products to fulfill a need or provide a products to fulfill a need or provide a convenience.convenience.

In the beginning of our technological In the beginning of our technological evolution, more emphasis was placed on evolution, more emphasis was placed on development of a solution and less on the development of a solution and less on the implications it may have on society or the implications it may have on society or the environment.environment.

Early technological development, because Early technological development, because of a smaller knowledge base and lack of of a smaller knowledge base and lack of communication, was very slow and communication, was very slow and sometimes took hundreds of years.sometimes took hundreds of years.

As we progressed through time and As we progressed through time and developed more ideas and solutions, it developed more ideas and solutions, it became easier and faster.became easier and faster.

Increased knowledge, communication and Increased knowledge, communication and writing, and the ability to improve current writing, and the ability to improve current products played an important role in the products played an important role in the change process.change process.

Ex: Computers, televisions, phones, etc.Ex: Computers, televisions, phones, etc.

ImplicationsImplications

The choices we make can have long The choices we make can have long lasting positive or negative effects to our lasting positive or negative effects to our future.future.

Even if we make good choices, the results Even if we make good choices, the results of those choices will affect individuals, of those choices will affect individuals, society, environment, and future society, environment, and future technology.technology.

Ex: Internal Combustion EngineEx: Internal Combustion Engine

It was one of the greatest inventions in It was one of the greatest inventions in history.history.

The use in the automobile created a The use in the automobile created a change in work and leisure activities.change in work and leisure activities.

It influenced the economy, changed the It influenced the economy, changed the way we built cities, and shortened travel way we built cities, and shortened travel time.time.

Unfortunately, it also had a drastic impact Unfortunately, it also had a drastic impact on our environment.on our environment. PollutionPollution AccidentsAccidents Erosion Erosion Reduction in agricultural and forested land Reduction in agricultural and forested land

have had dramatic impact on our have had dramatic impact on our environment.environment.

As a result of increased paved areas and As a result of increased paved areas and pollutants in the air, the average global pollutants in the air, the average global temperature is rising in what scientists call temperature is rising in what scientists call “Global Warming.”“Global Warming.”

How does the Internal Combustion How does the Internal Combustion Engine Work?Engine Work?

http://www.howstuffworks.comhttp://www.howstuffworks.com

In recent years, advanced technology In recent years, advanced technology solutions have often reduced the need for solutions have often reduced the need for human workers in various professions.human workers in various professions. Ex: Robots have replaced human workers in Ex: Robots have replaced human workers in

the manufacturing industry. They do not get the manufacturing industry. They do not get tired, injured or need breaks, and can perform tired, injured or need breaks, and can perform jobs that are hazardous to people.jobs that are hazardous to people.

Societal Problems

Most of the current environmental Most of the current environmental problems are a result of technology problems are a result of technology created over the past 30 to 40 years. created over the past 30 to 40 years.

This is due mainly to the development of This is due mainly to the development of materials used in products that are not materials used in products that are not biodegradable or recyclable.biodegradable or recyclable.

If they are not recycled, disposal is still If they are not recycled, disposal is still necessary and creates landfill and run off necessary and creates landfill and run off problems.problems.

Environmental Problems:

Environmental Problems Cont.Environmental Problems Cont.

Materials used to grow food and other Materials used to grow food and other agricultural products can also have agricultural products can also have damaging effects on the environment.damaging effects on the environment. Ex: FertilizersEx: Fertilizers

When technology is developed to help When technology is developed to help improve life, it often can disrupt the improve life, it often can disrupt the balance of nature and cause irreversible balance of nature and cause irreversible damage. damage.

Environmental problems are not only Environmental problems are not only about waste products, but deal with raw about waste products, but deal with raw materials and resources. materials and resources.

Conservation of materials in many Conservation of materials in many circumstances is not a priority when circumstances is not a priority when developing new technology.developing new technology. Ex: Trees, fossil fuels, and different types of Ex: Trees, fossil fuels, and different types of

minerals.minerals.

Technology AssessmentTechnology Assessment

Technology Assessment: “think before you Technology Assessment: “think before you act!” (Kranzberg, 1979)act!” (Kranzberg, 1979)

When taken to the next level, it’s not only When taken to the next level, it’s not only “think before you act”.“think before you act”.

Any technology has obvious sought after Any technology has obvious sought after effects called effects called “first order effects.”“first order effects.”

However, there are unintended effects as However, there are unintended effects as well called second and third order effects.well called second and third order effects.

Dimensions of ConsequencesDimensions of Consequences

Desired

Intended

Unplanned

Undesired

Unintended

Planned

Technological Decision

The automobile is fast, cheap The automobile is fast, cheap transportation for the driver and provides transportation for the driver and provides profits for the manufacturer.profits for the manufacturer. These are the first order effects that are These are the first order effects that are

obvious to most consumers.obvious to most consumers. However, there are second and third order However, there are second and third order

effects.effects. Decline of the railroads, urban decline, the Decline of the railroads, urban decline, the

interstate highway system, the decline in interstate highway system, the decline in environmental quality, etc.environmental quality, etc.

The moving assembly line: drew women into The moving assembly line: drew women into the workforcethe workforce

The difficulty of forecasting technological The difficulty of forecasting technological developments and the resulting side developments and the resulting side effects is one reason that criticism is ever effects is one reason that criticism is ever present.present.

History of Technology AssessmentHistory of Technology Assessment

Technology assessment dates back to the Technology assessment dates back to the creation of the Regulatory Agency in the creation of the Regulatory Agency in the 1850’s which was created after more than 1850’s which was created after more than 2,500 deaths related to the shipping 2,500 deaths related to the shipping industry.industry.

Regulation spread to other areas as well, Regulation spread to other areas as well, but in the early 20but in the early 20thth century focus was century focus was shifted to technology.shifted to technology.

National Environmental Policy Act National Environmental Policy Act of 1972of 1972

This act required environmental impact This act required environmental impact statements for all federal actions significantly statements for all federal actions significantly affecting the environment.affecting the environment.

The Technology Assessment Act of 1972 was The Technology Assessment Act of 1972 was enacted by Congress to establish an Office of enacted by Congress to establish an Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) as an aid in the Technology Assessment (OTA) as an aid in the identification and consideration of existing and identification and consideration of existing and probable impacts of technological application; to probable impacts of technological application; to amend the National Science Foundation Act of amend the National Science Foundation Act of 1950; and for other purposes.1950; and for other purposes.

The basic function of the OTA was The basic function of the OTA was to:to:

1.1. Identify existing or probable impacts of Identify existing or probable impacts of technology or technological problemstechnology or technological problems

2.2. Where possible, ascertain cause-and-Where possible, ascertain cause-and-effect relationshipseffect relationships

3.3. Identify alternative technological Identify alternative technological methods of implementing specific methods of implementing specific programsprograms

4.4. Identify alternative programs for Identify alternative programs for achieving requisite goalsachieving requisite goals

5.5. Make estimates and comparisons of the Make estimates and comparisons of the impacts of alternative methods and impacts of alternative methods and programsprograms

6.6. Present findings of completed analyses Present findings of completed analyses to the appropriate legislative authoritiesto the appropriate legislative authorities

7.7. Identify areas where additional research Identify areas where additional research or data collection is required to provide or data collection is required to provide adequate support for the assessments adequate support for the assessments and estimates.and estimates.

8.8. Undertake such additional associated Undertake such additional associated activities as specified by the appropriate activities as specified by the appropriate authorities.authorities.

Office of Technology Assessment Office of Technology Assessment (OTA)(OTA)

Topics studied by OTA have ranged Topics studied by OTA have ranged widely from nuclear proliferation to widely from nuclear proliferation to pollution control, industrial pollution control, industrial competitiveness, computer security and competitiveness, computer security and privacy, and medical technology.privacy, and medical technology.

The OTA was extremely successful and The OTA was extremely successful and widely acclaimed.widely acclaimed.

The OTA published over 100,000 pages of The OTA published over 100,000 pages of the best available analysis of policy the best available analysis of policy issues.issues.

For 23 years the Office of Technology For 23 years the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) provided Congress Assessment (OTA) provided Congress and other committees with an objective and other committees with an objective analysis of various technological and analysis of various technological and scientific issues that faced America.scientific issues that faced America.

The Congressional Office of Technology The Congressional Office of Technology Assessment closed on September 29, Assessment closed on September 29, 1995. It was small and fell victim to 1995. It was small and fell victim to political downsizing in the 90’s in an political downsizing in the 90’s in an attempt to streamline the budget.attempt to streamline the budget.

The complete collection of publications by The complete collection of publications by the office as well as other materials about the office as well as other materials about its history are available online at:its history are available online at:

http://www.wws.princeton.edu/~ota/ns20/legacy_n.htmlhttp://www.wws.princeton.edu/~ota/ns20/legacy_n.html

Biotechnology and AssessmentBiotechnology and Assessment

When dealing with living things, a whole When dealing with living things, a whole host of ethical issues arise, that may not host of ethical issues arise, that may not have surfaced with other forms of have surfaced with other forms of technological development.technological development.

Generally, morals, values, and religious Generally, morals, values, and religious beliefs surface when determining the beliefs surface when determining the positive and negative aspects of bio positive and negative aspects of bio related technology.related technology.

The large-scale introduction of biomedical and The large-scale introduction of biomedical and other technologies in the second half of the 20other technologies in the second half of the 20 thth century has raised new ethical issues such as:century has raised new ethical issues such as: The definition of deathThe definition of death Withdrawal of life-sustaining medical treatmentWithdrawal of life-sustaining medical treatment Prenatal diagnosis and abortionPrenatal diagnosis and abortion Storage of frozen human embryosStorage of frozen human embryos The use of humans, animals, or fetal tissue for The use of humans, animals, or fetal tissue for

scientific researchscientific research The screening of persons for the AIDS virus or other The screening of persons for the AIDS virus or other

infectionsinfections The disposition of toxic wastesThe disposition of toxic wastes The expansion of genetic engineeringThe expansion of genetic engineering

The awareness of bioethics and other moral The awareness of bioethics and other moral issues has caused us to pay more attention to issues has caused us to pay more attention to practical problems of biological research and practical problems of biological research and deal with the moral and social concerns of deal with the moral and social concerns of human behavior.human behavior.

Modern Biotechnology is a collection of Modern Biotechnology is a collection of technologies that are all targeted for a specific technologies that are all targeted for a specific purpose.purpose.

These “biotechnologies” all have a common These “biotechnologies” all have a common factor, which is the use of cells and biological factor, which is the use of cells and biological molecules.molecules.

Biotechnology is a very large and growing area Biotechnology is a very large and growing area of study.of study.

Some common areas of research in Biotechnology Some common areas of research in Biotechnology include:include:

Monoclonal Antibody TechnologyMonoclonal Antibody Technology Cell Culture TechnologyCell Culture Technology Biosensor TechnologiesBiosensor Technologies Genetic Modification TechnologyGenetic Modification Technology Antisense TechnologyAntisense Technology Protein Engineering TechnologyProtein Engineering Technology

These are only a fraction of the Biotechnology These are only a fraction of the Biotechnology career areas that are currently being studied.career areas that are currently being studied.

Monoclonal Antibody TechnologyMonoclonal Antibody Technology

Uses a type of immune system cell that Uses a type of immune system cell that makes proteins called antibodies. These makes proteins called antibodies. These antibodies are used to:antibodies are used to: Distinguish cancer cells from normal cellsDistinguish cancer cells from normal cells Locate environmental pollutantsLocate environmental pollutants Detect harmful microorganisms in foodDetect harmful microorganisms in food Diagnose infectious diseases in humans, Diagnose infectious diseases in humans,

animals and plants quicker and more animals and plants quicker and more accurately than ever before.accurately than ever before.

Cell Culture TechnologyCell Culture Technology

Includes plant cells, mammalian cells and Includes plant cells, mammalian cells and insect cells to produce bio-related insect cells to produce bio-related insecticides, medical procedures, and insecticides, medical procedures, and pharmaceuticals.pharmaceuticals.

Biosensor TechnologiesBiosensor Technologies

They are detection devices that rely on the They are detection devices that rely on the specificity of cells and molecules to specificity of cells and molecules to identify and measure substances at identify and measure substances at extremely low concentrations.extremely low concentrations.

Biosensors can:Biosensors can: Measure the nutritional value, freshness and Measure the nutritional value, freshness and

safety of food.safety of food. Provide emergency room physicians with Provide emergency room physicians with

bedside measure of vital blood components.bedside measure of vital blood components. Locate and measure environmental Locate and measure environmental

pollutants.pollutants. Measure blood glucose levels more rapidly Measure blood glucose levels more rapidly

and precisely than existing methods.and precisely than existing methods.

Genetic Modification TechnologyGenetic Modification Technology

Often referred to as recombinant DNA Often referred to as recombinant DNA technology.technology.

Humans make recombinant DNA, both in Humans make recombinant DNA, both in nature, and by combining genetic material nature, and by combining genetic material from 2 different sources.from 2 different sources.

Genetic Modification is used to:Genetic Modification is used to: Produce new and safer vaccinesProduce new and safer vaccines Treat some genetic diseasesTreat some genetic diseases Provide new and better medicinesProvide new and better medicines Enhance bio-control agents in agricultureEnhance bio-control agents in agriculture Increase crop yields and decrease production costsIncrease crop yields and decrease production costs Decrease allergy-producing characteristics of some Decrease allergy-producing characteristics of some

foodsfoods Improve food nutritional valueImprove food nutritional value Increase livestock productivityIncrease livestock productivity Develop biodegradable plasticsDevelop biodegradable plastics Decrease water and air pollutionDecrease water and air pollution

Antisense TechnologyAntisense Technology

Decreases the production of specific proteins by Decreases the production of specific proteins by using small nucleic acids to block the genes the using small nucleic acids to block the genes the responsible for making these proteins.responsible for making these proteins.

Currently, researchers are investigating how to Currently, researchers are investigating how to use this technology to:use this technology to: Slow food spoilageSlow food spoilage Control viral diseasesControl viral diseases Inhibit inflammationInhibit inflammation Treat diseases such as asthma, cancers, and a kind Treat diseases such as asthma, cancers, and a kind

of anemia called thalassemiaof anemia called thalassemia

Protein Engineering TechnologyProtein Engineering Technology

Will often be used in conjunction with Will often be used in conjunction with genetic modification to improve existing genetic modification to improve existing proteins, usually enzymes, and to create proteins, usually enzymes, and to create proteins not found in nature.proteins not found in nature.

Read students the summary sheet Read students the summary sheet associated with this unitassociated with this unit

Standards Covered:Standards Covered:4: Students will develop an understanding of the cultural, social, economic, and 4: Students will develop an understanding of the cultural, social, economic, and

political effects of technology.political effects of technology. 4.D: The use of technology affects humans in various ways, including their 4.D: The use of technology affects humans in various ways, including their

safety, comfort, choices, and attitudes about technology’s development and safety, comfort, choices, and attitudes about technology’s development and use.use.

4.E: Technology, by itself, is neither good nor bad, but decisions about the 4.E: Technology, by itself, is neither good nor bad, but decisions about the use of products and systems can result in desirable or undesirable use of products and systems can result in desirable or undesirable consequences.consequences.

4.F: The development and use of technology poses ethical issues.4.F: The development and use of technology poses ethical issues. 4.G: Economic, political, and cultural issues are influenced by the 4.G: Economic, political, and cultural issues are influenced by the

development and use of technology.development and use of technology.5: Students will develop an understanding of the effects of technology on the 5: Students will develop an understanding of the effects of technology on the

environment.environment. 5.D: The management of waste produced by technological systems is an 5.D: The management of waste produced by technological systems is an

important societal issue.important societal issue. 5.F: Decisions to develop and use technologies often put environmental and 5.F: Decisions to develop and use technologies often put environmental and

economic concerns in direct competition with one another.economic concerns in direct competition with one another.15: Students will develop an understanding of an be able to select and use 15: Students will develop an understanding of an be able to select and use

agricultural and related biotechnologies.agricultural and related biotechnologies. 15.H: Biotechnology applies the principles of biology to create commercial 15.H: Biotechnology applies the principles of biology to create commercial

products or processes.products or processes.