This session is very interesting with different groups presenting on different topics. Among the 4 groups, I like the topic on designer babies the best. Before I write about my opinions on the 4 groups and what I have learnt from them, I would like to comment on the quote shared by the Prof, “You know more than you think you know, just as you know less than you want to know” by Oscar Wilde. Indeed, we actually know more than what we think we know. It is only in urgent circumstances that we realize that we actually know more than what we think. We are able to defend for ourselves or debate with others with the knowledge we know and information that we do not even know that we know. On top of that, the information that we are unclear will prompt us to find out more about it. Thus, we actually know less than we want to know.
Designer Babies
Presentation:
I like the way they present by having a story behind it. There are different characters in the presentation and they will illustrate on their parts. The way the narrator starts off is quite sudden and is able to catch the audience’s attention. However, it will be better if they cut short on the information they present.
Website:
I like the design of the website. It is good that they have their reflections regarding this website and a poll to find out about the opinion of the public on designer babies. From their website, I learnt more about the different technologies used in designer babies such as Reprogenetic, Intro-vitro Fertilisation, Sperm Sorting and Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis.
For Reprogenetic, choosing the traits of the future child can be good to prevent the particular gene to be inherited by the child, thus preventing the child to be borne with any defective diseases. However, from the website, there are low success rates and this can induce new mutations. As such, this technology is not really safe to be use. More research and development can be done in this aspect to increase the success of Reprogenetic.
For Sperm Sorting, I do not really approve the use of it. It can be beneficial to prevent the spread of sex-linked disease. However, this technology will determine the gender of the baby. This will allow humans to control the gender of babies. In the long run, the population will be affected as people control the genders of babies. If men are proven to be more successful than women, humans may choose to give birth to more boys. In the long run, countries may become chaotic as there is gender inequality and riots may break out to increase the rights of women. This will be disastrous.
Nanomedicine
Presentation:
Illustration by the speakers was interesting. One of the speakers was funny at times which can catch the attention of the audience.
Website:
There are quite a few videos in the website which can make the website look more interesting. I find the timeline present quite easy to comprehend. From this website, I learnt about some challenges of nanomedicine. For the social challenge, I learnt that the effects of nanomedicine is hard to predict and the chances of side effects are high should something go wrong. This will reduce the possibility that humans will take nanomedicine. We are not likely to go for cures that are not guaranteed unless we have no choice. Furthermore, nanotechnology may produce poisonous microparticles that can cross over to the brain. This is super dangerous since the brain is the most important part of us. This point alone will greatly reduce the use of nanomedicine.
In addition, nanomedicine may face economic challenge where a large amount of money is needed to purchase the machinery and products needed. However, this challenge can be overcome when people hope to live a better live that is free from illness. People will be willing to invest in nanomedicine if it is proven to be successful and is safe to use.
Space Travel and Tourism
Presentation:
This is an interesting topic! It is quite funny to start off like what the Prof will usually do but it did capture the audience attention! The video shown is interesting as well. It will be better if the information presented can be cut short.
Website:
The website is informative and I can see that the group has done much research about the topic. The tabs at the bottom could be moved to the side so that people are able to click on the tabs more easily. I have learnt more about space technology, the advantages and disadvantages about space technology. Focusing more on the future prospects of space technology, it will be really cool if we get to travel to space and stay in outer space. One example illustrated is the Lunar Resort. There will be pressurized guest rooms, recreational and medical facilities, and deep-space viewing platforms. As mentioned by the website, building of a resort on the moon will be costly and technically difficult. So is it really possible? It may not be viable in the short term but I look forward to it.
The Plastic Vortex
Presentation:
I like the presentation with a story behind. The information shared by the presenters was interesting. The presenters were able to catch the audience’s attention with the adverse effects of the plastic vortex such as a turtle being stuck in a plastic ring.
Website:
The website is awesome with the interesting headings. I like the way the information is presented like a diary format. I can tell that the presenters took a lot of effort to make the website. The information that caught my attention is the invention of a machine to recycle plastics into oil. This can generate fuels that are eco-friendly and safe. As such, the plastic waste is reduced and more fuels are produced to provide energy. This invention is greatly beneficial and can solve waste management problems and depletion of natural resources problem. From the website, the company is selling their machine to schools for educational purpose and some factories in Japan. I hope that this machine can be sold worldwide to reduce the problems of plastics. This website can definitely raise awareness about plastic vortex and allow people to think twice before they dump plastics into the seas.
I will rate this session 9.5 out of 10 because I have benefited from these presentations. I learnt more about the various topics.
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