Technology & society
At Cenamps, we understand that successful technologies have strong societal and consumer drivers. The genius of Henry Ford was not simply his ability to establish the world’s first mass produced car, but his foresight in seeing the latent desire of masses of “ordinary” people to enhance their quality of life . New technologies provided the tools and means to supply larger segments of the population with an affordable car. Today, we have far greater expectations and a much stronger sense of self-expression.
Through the media, personal experience and discussions, people are forming an awareness not only of the potential benefits of new technologies, but also their risks, uncertainties and ethical implications.
When exploring technology we need to consider:·
- Opportunities: technologies that are linked to strong societal and consumer drivers have given us great benefits. They have provided the bedrock for an endless stream of vital innovations such as energy supplies, roads, trains, bridges, modern medicine, buildings, vehicles, television, cash points, mobile phones and digital cameras
- Uncertainties: technology has also exposed us to new risks and uncertainties - risks to our health, threats to our privacy, environmental pollution and even climate change. Whilst new technologies offer new benefits, they also give rise to yet more points of concern- some of which are foreseeable, but others may remain hidden for years or even decades to come
- Ethical footprint: building trust and demonstrating honesty and reliability plays an important role in the acceptance of any new technology. Some businesses invested heavily in innovating genetically modified foods, only to learn when it was too late, of the public’s resistance.
Consulting the public and taking the ethical footprint of new technologies into consideration is paramount. It is also important to openly address the public's concerns on issues such as safety, risk, privacy and uncertainties as well as exploring the benefits and opportunities.
Let's look at emerging genetic technologies
The science of genetics is offering us the opportunity to rethink our approach to medicine. Genetic testing can be used to determine if an individual is likely to develop specific conditions later in life, such as colon cancer. This information can be used to prevent life threatening diseases from developing, by enabling the individual and clinicians to take early action to mitigate the risk. Preventative action enhances the individual's quality of life and also reduces society's financial healthcare burden.
The results of genetic testing also have certain non-medical implications. Insurance companies for example, are exploring possible strategies of adjusting premium levels according to an individual’s genetic profile.This raises further questions and concerns over privacy and confidentiality of patient information. In the future, a person's genetic make-up could impact how they are perceived and treated by employers and financial institutions.
Genetic technologies give us the possibility of “designer babies”, enabling the parent to select and define their child’s genetic profile.Yet on the same platform, genetic technology provides the potential for life saving gene therapy, by removing genetic diseases encoded in an individual’s genetic make-up by manipulating the DNA in targeted living cells.
Clearly, the social context of how genetic technologies are applied will influence its adoption and acceptance by the public. Governments have a important role in facilitating the development of new technologies and implementing regulations. Engaging the public in the debate is essential.