Brain mapping is a latest neuroscience technology which relates the structure and functions in the brain to a map. Scientists in this field seek to gain knowledge of the physical processes that underlies human sensation, attention awareness and cognition. (Brandmapping, 2007) It is no longer a dream for us to understand people’s mind. However, the potential unethical abuses of this technology should be predicted and minimised in long term.
Firstly, we should benefit this amazing technology within a limited extent. Since this technology requires large amount of capital and operating costs, it can be utilized in certain field, such as medical intervention. It has proven that the work could have applications in the study of autism, disorders of thought such as Pick’s disease (National Science Foundation, 2008). Furthermore, brain mapping also could be used in detecting the truth from suspected criminal and thus it enhances the law enforcement. As a result, brain mapping is always applicable if it is using in the right field.
Secondly, the result from brain mapping should not be unveiled or conducted to public in case of privacy. Every brain mapping processes should be undergone under a primary condition and agreement. The data obtained will only be the references for some applications or research but not abusing it. Besides that, the data retrieved has to be stored safely since it is treated as a form of privacy. In summary, processing the data resulted from brain mapping has to be specific and expertise in order to protect the privacy of everyone, as it is stated in law.
Lastly, brain mapping technology should not be introduced to the public regarding of its value. Even though everyone posses the potential as a terrorist in this community today, there is no necessary for everyone to undergo this treatment, especially children. In fact, everyone has their own talents and abilities to be untapped in their life journey. Therefore, it is anti-natural for them to use brain scanning for educational proposes instead of exploring by their own. Brain mapping will only pose potential of privacy’s intrusion. In summary, brain mapping will bring more negative effects than the positive one to the public.
In conclusion, brain mapping can really benefit people by increasing the efficiency of researching in many fields but only with a positive aim. I believe that the power of brain mapping is unpredictable and thus we should not abuse it in the future whenever it is not ready justified as a stable technology.
References
Brandmapping(2007) Retrieved November 6, 2008, from http://www.brainmapping.org/
National Science Foundation. (2008, May 30). A computer that can ‘read your mind [Press release 08-091]. Retrieved November 6, 2008, from http://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=111641&org=olpa &from=news
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Is That Global Warming Occuring?
Polar ice caps melting, economic consequences, increased intensity of drought and temperature of ocean and spread of the diseases are the top 5 deadliest effects of global warming in the latest century. (Simmons, 2007)These phenomena are caused by the emission of greenhouse gases from people and it should be solved as soon as possible. In the future perspective, some people have come to a conclusion that mitigating climate change is an ethical one. However, the seriousness of global warming is no longer tolerated even with the effort of reducing it by the current technology.
According to the National Snow and Ice Data Center, there are 5,773,000 cubic miles of water in ice caps, glaciers, and permanent snow. If all glaciers melt today, the seas will rise about 230 feet. (Simmons, 2007) Although not all the polar ice caps melt today, the consequences are still serious. It is undeniable that temperature of earth is rising drastically within this few decades. Besides that, increased natural disasters resulted from global warming is also another worrying case since it is unpredictable. Hence, the damages and impacts brought by the global warming are tremendously dreadful.
In fact, Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) have been introduced by United States since 1980 in order to reduce the greenhouse gases around the atmosphere. In 2005, 60000 tons of carbon dioxide has been injected into aquifer of salty water 700 meters beneath the surface. (Quirin, 2006) However, scientists estimated that 8.4 billion tons of carbon dioxide have been releasing every year. (CDIAC, 2008) It is obvious that technology cannot totally eliminate the greenhouse gases indeed. From engineering perspective, climate change can only be reduced by decreasing the amount of gas before emission but not capturing the gas back to the ground after releasing.
Besides that, to overcome the global warming, many climate change mitigation programs have been proposed. For example, reducing use of vehicle has been promoted in Singapore. Public transportation is more likely encouraged for people instead of driving their own cars. As a result, the responsibility of mitigating climate change is no longer bore by the rich but also the poor. People should face the climate change together but not weighing the benefits and costs when the problem is on the edge. Hence, global warming should not be prolonged.
In summary, global warming is indeed occurring in earth since technology is no longer the best way to mitigate climate change anymore. It is always the high time for everyone to solve it regardless of values. If the earth is suffering too much, human cannot bear the loss in future indeed.
References
Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Centre. (2008,Oct). Trends-emissions
Retrieved November 4, 2008, from ftp://cdiac.ornl.gov/pub/trends/co2_emis/Preliminary _CO2_Emisions_2006_2007.xls
Quirin, S.(2006, August). Putting the carbon back. Retrieved November 4, 2008, from http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v442/n7103/full/442620a.html
Simmons. (2007, September). Global Warming effects. Retrieved November 4, 2008, from http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/sciencetech/5-deadliest-effects-of-global-warming/276
According to the National Snow and Ice Data Center, there are 5,773,000 cubic miles of water in ice caps, glaciers, and permanent snow. If all glaciers melt today, the seas will rise about 230 feet. (Simmons, 2007) Although not all the polar ice caps melt today, the consequences are still serious. It is undeniable that temperature of earth is rising drastically within this few decades. Besides that, increased natural disasters resulted from global warming is also another worrying case since it is unpredictable. Hence, the damages and impacts brought by the global warming are tremendously dreadful.
In fact, Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) have been introduced by United States since 1980 in order to reduce the greenhouse gases around the atmosphere. In 2005, 60000 tons of carbon dioxide has been injected into aquifer of salty water 700 meters beneath the surface. (Quirin, 2006) However, scientists estimated that 8.4 billion tons of carbon dioxide have been releasing every year. (CDIAC, 2008) It is obvious that technology cannot totally eliminate the greenhouse gases indeed. From engineering perspective, climate change can only be reduced by decreasing the amount of gas before emission but not capturing the gas back to the ground after releasing.
Besides that, to overcome the global warming, many climate change mitigation programs have been proposed. For example, reducing use of vehicle has been promoted in Singapore. Public transportation is more likely encouraged for people instead of driving their own cars. As a result, the responsibility of mitigating climate change is no longer bore by the rich but also the poor. People should face the climate change together but not weighing the benefits and costs when the problem is on the edge. Hence, global warming should not be prolonged.
In summary, global warming is indeed occurring in earth since technology is no longer the best way to mitigate climate change anymore. It is always the high time for everyone to solve it regardless of values. If the earth is suffering too much, human cannot bear the loss in future indeed.
References
Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Centre. (2008,Oct). Trends-emissions
Retrieved November 4, 2008, from ftp://cdiac.ornl.gov/pub/trends/co2_emis/Preliminary _CO2_Emisions_2006_2007.xls
Quirin, S.(2006, August). Putting the carbon back. Retrieved November 4, 2008, from http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v442/n7103/full/442620a.html
Simmons. (2007, September). Global Warming effects. Retrieved November 4, 2008, from http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/sciencetech/5-deadliest-effects-of-global-warming/276
Summary 2
Popularly, scientists and engineers have been described as two different jobs in young. Scientists investigate, invent, and discover while engineers make, apply, and construct. However, in the reality, scientists always work with engineers. They work together to explore new information in the physical and biological world. Firstly, scientists are always need specific instrument to make experiments over their researching. Thus, they need the latest mathematical and computing methods and insert them into their systems for better understanding. New methods for studying the brain should assist the study of memory, learning, emotions, and thought. In exploring the universe, engineers also play an important role in future. In fact, scientists do not know what most of the universe is made of initially. They are the engineers who have continuously worked on to search a better answer for the questions. In addition, the investigation of universe is further improved by the invention of new and modified telescopes, both on the ground and in space. As Einstein said, finding out may require new tools to unlock the secrets of matter and energy. Engineers will be able to devise economical, but more powerful tools to assist scientists to explore realms beyond the reach of current technology. In the future perspective, the foundation of quantum mechanics will be another field for engineers and scientists to cooperate, in order to explore new insights and knowledge. In summary, the greatest challenges will be faced by engineers, scientists, and society itself. Engineering’s success in finding answers to nature’s secrets will not only advance the understanding of life and the universe, but also provide engineers a better working enthusiasm in their life.
Summarized from National Academy of Engineering, “Engineer the tools of scientific discovery,” Available at: http://www.engineeringchallenges.org/cms/8996/8965.aspx
Summarized from National Academy of Engineering, “Engineer the tools of scientific discovery,” Available at: http://www.engineeringchallenges.org/cms/8996/8965.aspx
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