Social Impacts of New Social Impacts of New TechnologiesTechnologies

St Stephen’s CollegeUzhavoor

New Emerging New Emerging TechnologiesTechnologies

• Information Technology: ICET• Genomics

• New Reproductive Technologies• Stem Cell Research

• Nanotechnology, Nanobiotechnology• Cognitive Science• Artificial Intelligence• Robotics

New Technologies bring New Technologies bring unprecedented new power to unprecedented new power to

humanity with new ethical and social humanity with new ethical and social dilemmasdilemmas

Social Impacts study: Social Impacts study: ChallengesChallenges

• Knowledge Explosion• Convergence, Synergy and Integration• Speed of Diffusion• Rate of Obsolescence• Mystification

RADIO

PERSONAL COMPUTER

TELEVISION

INTERNET

38

16

13

4

Technological DiffusionTechnological Diffusion

Quantum Revolution

Computer Revolution

Genomic Revolution

Three Pillars of ScienceThree Pillars of Science

Matter

Mind

Life

Social Impacts

Transistor, Laser

X Ray, Crystallography

Reductionism

Synergy

Information and Information and

Communication TechnologyCommunication Technology

Computer TechnologyComputer Technology

Communication TechnologyCommunication Technology

ICT Revolution ICT Revolution

MultimediaMultimedia

Computer NetworkComputer NetworkInternetInternet

World Wide WebWorld Wide Web

High-level Goals of ICTHigh-level Goals of ICT

Information Superhighway Communication Creative Exploration Freedom of Expression Commerce: Entertainment

Information Retrieval Information Superhighway

Educational Tool Communication Research Electronic Publishing Administration

ICT and AcademicsICT and Academics

InternetInternet

is the technology that brings people

separated by space and time togetherand gives them access to learningresources from around the world

StudentsStudents

not passive recipient of knowledge but active participant in the process of learning

ICT as Educational ToolICT as Educational Tool

New Teaching and Learning methods

Computer Assisted Learning Interactive Learning

Computer Simulations Virtual Reality

Virtual Class Rooms

Instruction Centered: Class Room Model Group Learning

Individualised Learning Need Based Self Directed Learning Learner- Centred - Network Model

Teaching- Learning: Paradigm Teaching- Learning: Paradigm ShiftShift

Education Experience Multi-Media

Computer Simulation Virtual Reality

Packaged Educational Materials

Teaching- Learning: The Teaching- Learning: The FutureFuture

Edutainment

Education: New ConceptsEducation: New Concepts Life long Learning : Perpetual Learning

Need Based -Self Directed Life long Employability Limited Education Expanded Education Border less Education Any time any where education

“ We have the technology today to enable virtuallyanyone who is not severely handicapped to learn anything anywhere any time.”

Lewis J Peretlman, Schools Out, 1993

IT and EducationIT and Education

Digital Divide Authenticity of Information

Dehumanisation Commercialisation

IT:Issues to be addressedIT:Issues to be addressed

The Digital DivideThe Digital Divide

IT “Haves” and IT “Have Nots”Information “Rich” and Information “Poor”

Accessibility to the NetAccessibility to the Net Recycling Access to Libraries E-mail Vouchers Training High Bandwidth Connectivity Local Content

IT and Education:Conceptual IT and Education:Conceptual issuesissues

Dehumanisation Lack of shared Human Space De contextualisation of Information Lack practical wisdom and expertise Social Isolation, Loneliness and Depression

“Nowadays we are drowning in informationbut starving in knowledge”

TextImagesSound

Software

JUNK

Internet resourcesInternet resources

New DevelopmentsNew Developments

Social Networking Blogs Podocasting Web 2.0 mLearning E book reader Cloud computing

ICT the Role of TeachersICT the Role of Teachers

Data

Information

Knowledge

Wisdom

Free software Free software MovementMovement

Richard Matthew Stallman

Linus Torvalds

Free Software MovementFree Software Movement

FREEDOM TO KNOWLEDGE

Free SoftwareFree Software

Priced !!!! Can copy and distribute Can modify Can sell modified version

General Public License

Copy Left

Lawrence Lessig

Creative CommonsCreative Commons

RRepercussions of the epercussions of the PPhilosophyhilosophy Open Cola Freely downloadable Textbooks, Journals Open Access Initiative: Creative

CommonsPublic Library of ScienceIndian OA initiative

Wikipedia Open Biology Creative Commons

OPENING UP OF KNOWLEDGE

public library of sciencepublic library of science

ICT as Tool

Information and Information and

Communication TechnologyCommunication Technology

What is Genomics?What is Genomics?

Genome of an organism is the whole hereditary information

of an organism that is encoded in the DNA Genomics

is the study of an organism's Genome and the use of the genetic material

Genomics Revolution Major EventsGenomics Revolution Major Events

Human Genome ProjectHuman Genome Project

Message of Human Genome Message of Human Genome ProjectProject

3. 2 Billion Nucleotide Base pairs

99.9% Bases same

Human beings are equal

Genomics Major ApplicationsGenomics Major Applications

Medicine Agriculture Industries Environmental Protection

AgricultureAgriculture High yielding varieties of crops Disease, insect, resistant crops Nutritious food materials Healthier, productive animals Biopesticides Bioremediation

Depolluting Organisms Depolluting Plants

AgricultureAgriculture Research Research

Demand from Big Farmers, Agrochemical Companies

Threat to traditional practices Reuse and Exchange Conservation of Traditional Varieties

Threat to Biodiversity Food Security in Danger Bio Piracy Bt Cropts, GM Foods: Safety

Genetic Basis of DiseasesDiagnostic Tests

PharmacogenomicsForensic Medicine

Medical ApplicationsMedical Applications

Application in Health CareApplication in Health Care Post-natal, Pre-natal and Pre-implantation Diagnosis

Predictive Medicine Pharmacogenomics

Recombinant Drugs, Edible vaccines Designer drugs: Individualised Medicine

New Reproductive Technologies Gene Therapy Stem Cell Therapy: Therapeutic Cloning

Regenerative Medicine

Fears of GenomicsFears of Genomics Creating new combinations of genes

alters evolution Genetic Engineering

breaches fundamental species boundaries

ELSI Project

Nature Versus Nurture

Genetic ProfileSocio Economic and Political Conditions

Environment: Life Style

Genetic DeterminismGenetic Determinism

Selective AbortionsInsurance

Employability

Slippery Slope

Genetic PrivacyGenetic Privacy

Genetic ScreeningGenetic Screening

Phenyl KetonuriaSickle Cell Anaemia

Patenting of Life FormsPatenting of Life Forms

“Human made invention”

Embryo ResearchEmbryo Research

Intrinsic value of life Sanctity of Life

Moral status of Embryos Gender Perspective Conflict between different values,

interests of different groups

Biotechnology is big Biotechnology is big businessbusiness

Corporate ConvergenceCorporate Convergence Agrochemical Pharmaceutical Life Science

monsato, eli lilly, pfizer, novartis gskdu pont

Global Life Science IndustryBiotech Market Place

Universal Declaration on the Human Genome and Human RightsUniversal Declaration on the Human Genome and Human Rights

Human Dignity and the Human GenomeHuman Dignity and the Human Genome

Article 1: Human genome underlies fundamental unity of all members of the human family

Human Genome is the heritage of humanity

Article 6 : No one shall be subjected to discrimination based on genetic characteristics

Article 7 : Genetic data must be held confidential

Genomic ResearchGenomic Research

Informed Consent Non appropriation Benefit sharing Protection of Farmers rights

It is all too easy to put the technology cart before the basic

priorities horseSubbiah Arunchalam:BMJ 319:1999

New Technologies: The DilemmaNew Technologies: The Dilemma

The Kerala PsycheThe Kerala Psyche

“Either” “Or” Attitude Ludditism or Technological Fetishism Digital Thinking !!!!!!

Role of AcademicsRole of Academics• New Technologies offers immense possibilities• Ethical, social , economic, political, legal,

impacts to be discussed• Multidisciplinary approach• IT and Genetic literacy• National and State Perspective

Thank youThank you