Impacts of Invention and Impacts of Invention and InnovationInnovation

Impacts of TechnologyImpacts of TechnologyTechnological ChangeTechnological Change

ImplicationsImplicationsTechnology AssessmentTechnology Assessment

History of Technology AssessmentHistory of Technology AssessmentBiotechnology and AssessmentBiotechnology and Assessment

This 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 views of the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Tom WeberTom WeberCourse 665Course 665

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Impacts of TechnologyImpacts of Technology

The impacts of technology is viewed as The impacts of technology is viewed as the solutions to the problems and the the solutions to the problems and the new problems created by the solutions.new problems created by the solutions.

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.

Plastic products have changed the way Plastic products have changed the way we live but how do you throw them we live but how do you throw them away?away?

Impacts or consequences of Impacts or consequences of technology/ innovation tend to fall technology/ innovation tend to fall into three categoriesinto three categories(Rogers, 1995): (Rogers, 1995):

-Desirable/Undesirable-Desirable/Undesirable-Direct/Indirect-Direct/Indirect-Anticipated/Unanticipated-Anticipated/Unanticipated

Unitedstreaming movieUnitedstreaming movieChallenger MovieChallenger Movie

http://www.unitedstreaming.com/search/assetDetail.cfm?guidAssetId=2A249B18-500F-4084-9D4C-0193B4A32DC2

Examples of InventionsExamples of Inventions

Example 1: generation of electricity in coal power station

Effects: electrical light, cooking and heating, decentralized using of electromotors, automation, etc.

But: environmental pollution (especially air pollution, hole in the ozone layer, dying of the forest)

Dr. Karsten Weber, European University Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder): Social Impacts of Technology

More ExamplesMore Examples

Example 2: agricultural revolution

Main characteristics: farming, livestock breeding, created permanent villages and towns

Effects: different diet, growing populations, increasing trading activities, construction of houses and other buildings, beginning of division of labor

But: new diseases, epidemics

Dr. Karsten Weber, European University Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder): Social Impacts of Technology

Technological ChangeTechnological Change As we move through time it becomes As we move through time it becomes

easier to develop more ideas. easier to develop more ideas. Increased knowledge, communication and Increased knowledge, communication and

writing play an important role in change.writing play an important role in change. Technological development is occurring Technological development is occurring

at an exponential rate (doubling).at an exponential rate (doubling). Technology changes and agriculture.Technology changes and agriculture.

Ford John Deere

ImplicationsImplications

Technological development will Technological development will always have impacts on society, always have impacts on society, individuals and the environment.individuals and the environment.

As a technologically literate person, As a technologically literate person, you need to make decisions based on you need to make decisions based on how technology will affect your life how technology will affect your life and the lives around you.and the lives around you.

Internal Combustion EngineInternal Combustion Engine One of the great One of the great

inventions in history.inventions in history. Changed work and Changed work and

leisure time.leisure time. Influenced the Influenced the

economy, still does.economy, still does. Global Warming?!?!Global Warming?!?! Pollution? Accidents?Pollution? Accidents?

Technology AssessmentTechnology Assessment

““Think before Think before you act”. you act”. (Kranzberg, (Kranzberg, 1979)1979)

Six dimensions Six dimensions of of Consequence.Consequence.

Intended

Unplanned

Undesired

Unintended

Desired

Planned

TechnologicalDecision

What were the Wright Brothers What were the Wright Brothers thinking?thinking?

© AP or Reuters © AP or Reuters

WRIGHT BROTHERS Aeroplane Company

History of Technological History of Technological Assessment in the United Assessment in the United

StatesStates 1850’s Regulatory Agency was created after 1850’s Regulatory Agency was created after

2,500 shipping deaths.2,500 shipping deaths. National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. The Technology act of 1972 which established The Technology act of 1972 which established

an Office of Technology Assessment. (OTA)an Office of Technology Assessment. (OTA)>>The congressional Office of Technology The congressional Office of Technology

Assessment (OTA) closed its doors September Assessment (OTA) closed its doors September 29, 1995. For 23 years, the nonpartisan 29, 1995. For 23 years, the nonpartisan analytical agency assisted Congress with the analytical agency assisted Congress with the complex and highly technical issues that complex and highly technical issues that increasingly affect our society. increasingly affect our society.

Example of OTA report:CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS ON THE UNITED STATES

The Potential Consequences of Climate Variability and Change

Published in 2000

It is very likely that the US will get substantially warmer. Temperatures are projected to rise more rapidly in the next one hundred years than in the last 10,000 years. It is also very likely that there will be more precipitation overall, with more of it coming in heavy downpours. In spite of this, some areas are likely to get drier as increased evaporation due to higher temperatures outpaces increased precipitation. Droughts and flash floods are likely to become more frequent and intense.

What’s BiotechnologyWhat’s Biotechnology BiotechnologyBiotechnology is technology based on is technology based on

biology, especially when used in biology, especially when used in agriculture, food science, and medicine.agriculture, food science, and medicine.

The The UNUN Convention on Biological DiversityConvention on Biological Diversity defines it as :defines it as : "Biotechnology means any technological "Biotechnology means any technological

application that uses biological systems, living application that uses biological systems, living organisms, or derivatives thereof, to make or organisms, or derivatives thereof, to make or modify products or processes for specific use." modify products or processes for specific use." (Article 2. Use of Terms)(Article 2. Use of Terms)

““Biotechnology can also be defined as the Biotechnology can also be defined as the manipulation of organisms to do practical manipulation of organisms to do practical things and to provide useful products.”things and to provide useful products.”

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Assessing BiotechnologyAssessing Biotechnology

Ethical Issues like Agriculture, Ethical Issues like Agriculture, medical, genetics issues.medical, genetics issues.

Very young science areaVery young science area Large job growth areaLarge job growth area ““Frankenfood”Frankenfood”

The Campaign

Wikipedia Image

Standards and BenchmarksStandards and Benchmarks Driving Technology Education StandardsDriving Technology Education Standards

• Standard 4:• Standard 4: Students will develop an understanding of the cultural, Students will develop an understanding of the cultural, social, economic, and political effects of technology.social, economic, and political effects of technology.o [4.D]The use of technology affects humans in various ways, including o [4.D]The use of technology affects humans in various ways, including their safety, comfort, choices, and attitudes about technology’s their safety, comfort, choices, and attitudes about technology’s development and use.development and use.o [4.E]Technology, by itself, is neither good nor bad, but decisions about o [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 the use of products and systems can result in desirable or undesirable consequences.consequences.o [4.F]The development and use of technology poses ethical issues.o [4.F]The development and use of technology poses ethical issues.o [4.G]Economic, political, and cultural issues are influenced by the o [4.G]Economic, political, and cultural issues are influenced by the development and use of technology.development and use of technology.

• Standard 5:• Standard 5: Students will develop an understanding of the effects of Students will develop an understanding of the effects of technology on the environment.technology on the environment.o [5.F] Decisions to develop and use technologies often put environmental o [5.F] Decisions to develop and use technologies often put environmental and economic concerns in direct competition with one another.and economic concerns in direct competition with one another.

• Standard 14:• Standard 14: Students will develop an understanding of and be able to Students will develop an understanding of and be able to select and use medical technologies.select and use medical technologies.

o [14.J] Genetic engineering involves modifying the structure of DNA to o [14.J] Genetic engineering involves modifying the structure of DNA to produce novel genetic make-ups.produce novel genetic make-ups.

• Standard 15:• Standard 15: Students will develop an understanding of and be able to Students will develop an understanding of and be able to select and use agricultural and related biotechnologies.select and use agricultural and related biotechnologies.o [15.H] Biotechnology applies the principles of biology to create o [15.H] Biotechnology applies the principles of biology to create commercial products or processes.commercial products or processes.