Science and technology

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part of science are still alive, although they are less talked about nowadays than they were a few years ago. In fact, they are as relevant today as they ever were. There are a number of very real and very troubling concerns surrounding genetic engineering, although there are also some very real benefits to further genetic engineering. > definition Transhumanism is the theory that science and technology can help human beings develop beyond what is physically and mentally possible at the present time: Transhumanism asserts that with all the new technologies available, mankind will be able to solve every challenge it faces. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE > definition: Artificial intelligence is the simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, especially computer systems. Specific applications of Al include expert systems, natural language processing, speech recognition and machine vision e.g., Siri, Alexa, self-driving cars. PRO - reduction in "human error" (with Al, the decisions are taken from the previously gathered information applying a certain set of algorithms) - we can overcome many risky limitations of humans by developing an Al robot which in turn can do risky things for us - available 24/7 - digital assistance - daily applications CON - Al is making humans lazy with its applications automating the majority of the work -high costs of creation - lacking out of box thinking - humans tend to get addicted - unemployment (Al is replacing repetitive tasks and other works) BIOTECHNOLOGY - human interference is becoming less - no emotions Every new invention or breakthrough will have advantages and disadvantages but we as humans need to take care of that and use the positive sides of the invention to create a better world. The key for humans will ensure the "rise of robots" doesn't get out of hand. CYBORG > definition: A cyborg is a fictional or hypothetical person whose physical abilities are extended beyond normal human limitations by mechanical elements built into the body. DESIGNER BABY > definition: Designer babies are products of genetic engineering. A designer baby is a baby whose genetic makeup has been selected in order to eradicate a particular defect or to ensure that a particular gene is present. > definition: Biotechnology harnesses cellular and biomolecular processes to develop technologies and products that help to improve our lives and the health of our planet. ENERGY TRANSITION > definition: Energy transitions refer to the global energy sector's shift from fossil-based systems of energy production and consumption - including oil, natural gas and coal - to renewable energy sources like wind and solar. The increasing penetration of renewable energy into the energy supply mix, the onset of electrification and improvements in energy storage are all key drivers of the energy transition. GENE PHARMING > definition: Gene pharming is the process of genetically modifying plants and animals so that they produce substances. It refers to the use of genetic engineering to insert genes that code for useful pharmaceuticals into host animals or plants that would otherwise not express those genes, thus creating a genetically modified organism. PRO - growing plants is much cheaper than producing vaccines - plants cannot host most human pathogens, so the vaccines will not pose a danger to humans CON - plants are living organisms that change, so the vaccine production might not be guaranteed - the edible vaccines could be mistaken for regular fruits and consumed in larger amounts - if the vaccines were grown in fields or trees, security would become a big issue GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOOD > definition: Genetically modified foods are foods derived from organisms whose genetic material (DNA) has been modified in a way that doesn't occur naturally e.g., through the introduction of a gene from a different organism. CLONING > definition: Cloning is the process of creating an exact copy of a plant or animal by using it cells. It is a type of genetic engineering that uses cells from one organism to create a second living organism that is genetically identical to the first.