Portfolio 5

The present century is a century of rapid scientific progress. Human have made countless breakthroughs in almost every area. Inventing of a kind of new technology is always making human life more comfortable and convenient; however, it could also have the potential of many disadvantages on society. Some disadvantages are caused by material of new invention, for example, Freon which is used as refrigerating fluid is destroying ozone layer. This kind of adverse impact is avoidable. Testing the new technology before putting into market would help to find whether it has adverse impact on the environment or anything else, in order to take measures to eliminate the negative effect, for example, finding an alternative material. Another kind of disadvantage is not caused by the technology itself, but caused by unethical abuses. Even though inventors’ purposes are making life better, inventions could have harmful effects on human once they are abused intentionally or accidentally. Just as the kitchen knife, is invented to help people, but also can stab people. There are two ways to prevent the abuse of technology. One is to depend on the self-discipline of users. That is to say, conscience and responsibility of human could eliminate negative effects of new technology on society. The other is to depend on the legal restriction. “Nothing can be accomplished without norms or standards.” Law can prevent and punish person who abuses technology illegally. Researchers have responsibilities to help establishing specific jurisdiction clauses to ensure the proper use of new technologies, because they are most familiar with their inventions. Any technology depends on its use to decide whether it is advantageous or otherwise. If they are used by users properly, any invention would benefit human, even caffeine can be used to ease patients’ pains. In the matter of what use to make technology, man alone can decide.