1.2 How Does Science Affect
Society?
Unit 1: Challenges to Society
1 How individuals and charitable institutions
attempt to provide scientific solutions to medical,
environmental and developing world problems
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Charities and other foundations, as well as some
individuals, support both scientific research and the
development of technology in a wide variety of fields.
For example, much research into cancer is supported by
charities, and there are many well-known trusts and
funds campaigning for and supporting research into
environmental issues.
On a more global scale, the introduction of ‘leapfrog’
technology, such as wireless communication systems,
has enabled some developing countries to progress, for
example in education, at a faster rate.
2 How a technology is the application of scientific
principles to solving human problems, e.g. the
development of transport systems, the development
of medicines, climate change and global warming
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The technology applications of science raise many
important social and ethical issues.
Global warming and other environmental problems e.g.
pollution, problems associated with waste disposal and
the depletion of the ozone layer originate not only from
the application of various technologies but also from
political and economic decisions.
Science and technology can offer some solutions, for
example the development of alternatives to ozonedestroying CFCs, the development of bioplastics,
renewable energy sources and ‘cleaner’ fossil-fuelled
power stations. However, many developments solve one
issue but raise another.
3 The relationship between scientific progress and
social, political, or religious issues, e.g. creationism,
cloning, stem cell research
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The relationship between science and religion is
particularly sensitive in those areas that touch on the
origins of human life and the nature of human identity.
Some religious groups have strong objections to
established medical procedures such as blood
transfusion, organ transplant and in vitro fertilisation.
More recent advances in stem cell research hold out the
promise of significant benefits for sufferers from genetic
diseases, but again raise important ethical issues.
Some of the advances in knowledge about genetics and
the possible predisposition of individuals towards
particular types of behaviour raise important social and
ethical questions.
Problems arise because science presents choices and
opportunities we did not have in the past.