Whose Life Is It Anyway?
By Brian Clark
Technology is increasingly important in the modern world. It is amazing how fast technology has been developed. Nearly every major advance was invented in the last century. These invention are always planned for a positive result, however, the negative effects often do not become apparent until after the event. These effects will be
discussed in the following paragraphs with related materials.
The text, "Whose Life is it Anyway?", by Brian Clark, has clearly illustrated that with the development of medical technology, people can now have a better quality of life. Moreover, many lives which normally would not survive without the advance in medical treatment can now be artificially prolonged. The central character, Ken Harrison, who becomes a quadriplegic after a car accident, has met this situation. Nevertheless, it is cruel to ask him to face this life if he does not desire
it. He can no longer sculpt, run, move, kiss or have any form of sexual fulfillment. Obviously, his normal life has drifted away. The tendency to sustain people's lives, just because the technology is available, is
cruel under certain circumstances.
It is the individual patient who must make a decision about whether to keep himself alive. "What is the point of prolonging a person's biological life, if it is obtained at the cost of a serious assault on that person's liberty?"
There is probably no simple answer for this question and each patient's
individual wishes should be respected. Even though medical technology is very
important in today's society, it can have the potential for both good and bad
results. T
"Insurance in the Genes" is a piece of valuable material which explores another area in the technological field. Nowadays, genetic engineering essentially plays an important role. Genetic testing can predict a person's biological use-by date, forecasting everything from heart attacks to breast cancer. People can therefore have a basic concept of their health situation and prevent what is going to happen if technology allows them to know this beforehand. "Up until now, only 50 genetic tests have been developed to detect diseases. But within a decade, there will be tests for 5000 diseases." It is a remarkable increase. In the near future, hopefully, genetic testing will be employed to reveal potential health risks. It is a positive effect of technology in the modern world.
Another area where technology has made great strides, is in the
development of military weapons. A useful source on the effects of technology
on our world, is the documentary entitled "Weapon: A Battle for Humanity". It
was broadcasted by SBS on April 23, 1996. The film recorded that landmines and laser weapons are
"devils". Evidently, mines do not just shatter individual lives, but
they also shatter whole communities. For example, in World War II, mines were used
as defensive weapons, however, they were often left on fields and
forgotten. As a result, they not only kill soldiers, but civilians as
well. Even years later, casualties occur because of these mines amongst farmers farming, children playing and women collecting food.
Another weapon about which people in the past or even now have complained are
lasers. Laser weapons have also been abused by the military and under a certain condition,
have caused unnecessary loss of vision..
Weapons should only be objects of defense. However, because of the advance of technology, they have become more and more powerful. Scientists clearly know that misusing weapons will result in deaths, but they are still working towards more powerful weapons which can result in even more death. Why is this? Weapons lead to homelessness, disasters, sacrifices and death. This study of the development of landmines and laser weapons shows that technology can be used for destructive and immoral reasons. It is shocking to know that the USA, a peaceful nation and a member of the United Nations, has spent more than two-thirds of its research and development finance on military projects in the 1980s.
In today's society, communication and transport are significant features. Over the last decade, developments in technology
have rapidly increased. People who want to go to other countries can travel by airplane; and people who want to communicate with friends overseas can use the telephone, fax or Internet. Internet has taken communication a
step further: all information is totally accessible to any who owns this form of technology. It opens up a new international community which is positive and should lead to a peaceful modern world.
In this world today, technology is perhaps the most important driving force of our society, creating dilemmas concerning life and death, changing nature with genetic engineering, developing such immoral weapons and the instant advantages of using Internet.
