Science For Humanity

Driven by inquisitive and forward-looking natures of intrinsic value, Man’s zealous quest for advanced civilization since time immemorial has indeed given rise to progress in the field of science by leaps and bounds, casting forth new vistas which promise to redefine the essence of modern living, for evermore. The pervasiveness and ubiquity of science in every aspect of daily living, though engendering to a certain extent, reasonable dependency, yet having facilitated and enriched humanity on global scales, is bound to remain a lasting legacy of immense proportions. Of every viable means, science continues to pave the way towards a revolutionized future for humanity which sees technology gainfully incorporated and harnessed in every sphere of modern living to the benefit of the creator. Mankind, graced by the loving nature of humanity and evermore complemented by the enhancements of science, stands a superior species geared and poised towards a better tomorrow. Therein, lies the beauty of science, for which humanity is the raison d'être.

Indeed, the twenty-first century saw rapid advancements in science, of which wise application has indubitably revolutionized modern living. Such progress serves the epitome of civilization, a perfection of humanity brought about by the selfless efforts pioneered by scientists in scientific research and discovery which know little bounds. Science has seeped and pervaded so extensively into every part of living that its obliteration, theoretically, would connote the turning back of the clock of human civilization to a bygone era where dinosaurs reined and domineered, in an age where technology is unheard of. Such is the pivotal significance of science upon which humanity’s fundaments are built, inevitably.

In fact, science as an integral part of humanity as such endeavors to redefine boundaries. Emerging as a prominent industry of manifest importance, significant breakthroughs in the field of biotechnology has benefited most of all, humanity as the world metamorphoses from the century of physics and chemistry into the ‘biotech century’. With the advent of genetic engineering, hope has been rekindled in the treatment of diseases of every conceivable kind, thereupon opening up new dimensions and scenarios in the field of healthcare. Recent medical advances mark yet a significant feat, realized by science. Indeed, cure of serious and fatal illnesses, has given otherwise pious and lost hopes for the terminally ill to lead normal and fruitful lives. For instance, the emergence of a more permanent, effective cure for the widespread diabetes by means of transplant of islet cells into the patient’s liver, being the fruit of many a researchers’ labor, promise to break the entangling cords of frequent medication and hospital visitations to the affected individual, hence a brighter future and active life void of such bodily inflictions. In the past four years, there has been an increase of 80 percent success rate of islet cell transplantation, thanks to cutting edge technology. Employment of complex technology aided by computers in surgery has even promised to redefine the intrusive nature of such operations, hence increasing immensely the success rate. As such, increased life expectancy nowadays is the indirect yet imperative effect of such beneficial applications of science in healthcare, coupled with improved living conditions in modern times. From a wider perspective, the personal acquisition of health and longevity would in fact translate into heightened productivity in the general workforce, thus accelerated developments of the country propelled by dynamic human resources as such.

Furthermore, medical science has opened up new and promising dimensions for humanity. Gaining popularity yet simultaneously sparkling controversies of mammoth scales in recent times, stem cell research has indeed paved the way for treatment of the untreatable. Indeed, research on stem cells is advancing knowledge about how an organism develops from a single cell and how healthy cells replace damaged cells in adult organisms. This promising area of science is also leading scientists to investigate the possibility of cell-based therapies to treat disease, which is often referred to as regenerative or reparative medicine. For instance, several laboratories have been successful in developing methods to induce stem cells to differentiate into cells with many of the functions of dopamine producing neurons. In fact, so promising is such research that scientists, harnessing the unique and special nature of dedifferentiation of such stem cells, are developing a number of strategies for producing dopamine neurons from human stem cells in the laboratory for transplantation into humans with Parkinson's disease as a potentially promising cure. Even more, it has been hypothesized by scientists that stem cells may, at some point in the future, become the very basis for treating diseases such as Parkinson's disease, diabetes, and heart disease. As scientists learn more about stem cells, it may become possible to use the cells not just in cell-based therapies, but also for screening new drugs and toxins and understanding birth defects.

Needless to say, physical disability is as crippling as it is destructive in engendering baseless feelings of guilt, insufficiency and low self-esteem within the disabled individual. Nevertheless, as science progresses, so do hopes soar for the disabled with the beckoning prospect of leading normal and productive lives. Indeed, recent advancements in science saw the birth of prosthetic limbs which bear striking similarities in physical properties to the original. Employing ground-breaking technology, such prosthesis is even capable of intercepting nerve impulses directly from the brain, opening up new vistas of mobility previously alien to its predecessors and hence diminishing the crippling incapacity of disability, nay emancipating the individual from the yoke of inconvenience. This in turn spells liberation of the individual to greater heights and prospects in life, an alleviation of sense of inferiority and inadequacy, an empowerment to lead productive and meaningful lives. Such is the wonder revolutionary technology works for humanity, in that revival of hope and sense enhance and restore the lives of the physically disabled.

Indeed, the wrath of Mother Nature unleashed upon mankind on the fateful day of 26th December 2004, is one of many instances and demonstration of the mighty potential of natural calamities in wreaking havoc and destruction. In the face of imminent catastrophe, humanity is constantly menaced by natural disasters of global and tremendous proportions capable of brandishing the threat of discontinued survival of the human race, hence extinction. Though technically unavoidable, the destruction and damage wreaked by such disasters can at least be mitigated, thanks to science. Indeed, cutting edge science has paved the way towards the invention of revolutionary detection systems which seek to warn and alarm the appropriate authorities of impending natural calamities such as tsunamis, earthquakes, hurricanes, storms and so forth, following which efforts can be stepped up in response, be it as such the evacuation of people from the afflicted areas or initiation of prevention systems. Thus, science constantly endeavors to ensure the continual survival of humanity.

 The ecological collapse facing the natural world cries out for global action and attention, failure of which serves only to inflict upon mankind the fruit of his own doing --- environmental degradation leading eventually to threats of extinction. After all, humankind is an integral and inseparable part of the ecosystem, damage of which would inevitably trigger ripple effects to humanity that, enmeshed in such self-inflicted dilemma, is bound for extinction should no efforts be stepped up for the rescue of the environment on which mankind has become so closely dependent. Every year, there is a net loss of 22 million acres of forest area worldwide. Every year, toxic chemicals, some capable of traveling thousands of miles from their source and lasting decades in the environment, are released into the earth's atmosphere. Hence, scientific knowledge is as such increasingly being deployed for the conservation of environment for the sake of humanity. For instance, the introduction of special air filters to minimize the harmful effects of toxic gases released by industrial factories and vehicles contribute to reducing air pollution at its source. Apart from this, conservation biology has been gaining momentum in recent years as an integrative approach to the protection and management of biodiversity that uses appropriate principles and experiences from basic biological field such as genetics and ecology. As such, science serves an important means of salvation for humanity.

Computer, the product of revolutionary technology, has indeed come a long way in paving the way towards a better future. The deployment of computers in countless forms of applications to the benefit of humanity has promised to revolutionize and redefine altogether the essence of modern living. In fact, the invention of the computer in the wake of scientific advancement was a significant breakthrough that has ushered in a new chapter in the history of humanity, serving the ground for the impetus of much development, nay governing to some extent the direction of mankind’s future progress. The wonder of technology in the human race, as such reveals yet again the beauty of science for humanity.

On a lighter note, science peppers life with zeal and flavor, unleashing color and novelty into the monotony of daily life. Gaining crescendo and popularity nowadays as respite from the many exertions of work and career, modern entertainment, realized by science, promises to enrich humanity on scales of unrivalled proportions. So infectious is the allure of television, for instance, that it has, upon widespread commercialization a few decades ago, evolved into perhaps the most humble and common form of entertainment, a norm in every household which serve as a crowning perfection and completion of the latter. Rested on prominent grounds within the home, the television nowadays play the prime role of entertainment with which one is, at the push of a button on the remote control, transported into a virtual realm of fantasy and adventure, dictated no further by the restricting and sometimes disillusioning shackles of reality. In fact, movie production which saw the birth of many a films and blockbusters the world has so closely been acquainted with, employs the use of technology, hence a result of science in enhancing humanity. Capturing the quintessence of humanity’s expression and creativity, music, on the other hand, possesses the special ability to mesmerize, enrapture, beguile and enchant. Music, brought alive by the modern radio, as such harmonizes with science. The advent of modern sophisticated technology had even witnessed the birth of portable music and video players which constitute the latest fad nowadays, nay the craze of teenagers who relish mobile entertainment. Had it not been for science, life without modern entertainment of any sorts would have been dull and monotonous, lackluster and dreary, hence void of meaning and novelty.

            With advancements in science dawned the age of Information Technology (IT) which promises to redefine the essence of modern living. No doubt, the internet is a marvel of technology serving an imperative role of utmost significance in today’s increasingly globalized world. The internet, fundamentally an international network of computers linked together, is the perfect embodiment of advanced civilization, an enhancement of humanity as such. Access to the internet opens up to an infinite world of knowledge and information, transcending the boundaries of distance, ever opening up new and exciting dimensions bound to revolutionize the conveyance of information in the future. In fact, the internet as such serves a convenient means of personal development and fulfillment of a versatile spirit. Little wonder, therefore, that such virtual library be the haunt of many a scholars and students whose voracious appetite for knowledge knows little bounds. In turn, acquisition and appreciation of knowledge by the individual, viewed from a wider perspective, would translate into development of intellectual human resources hence a valuable asset to the country. The birth of a dynamic and progressive new generation --- the result of science put to good use in this sense, promises to reveal beckoning and positive prospects for the nation and ultimately, humanity.  

            Irrevocably, the employment of automation in numerous industries has indeed benefited humanity on an immense global scale. The widespread employment of modern technology in the industrial manufacturing and production process, for instance, has diminished the need for human manpower. The replacement of human resources in certain sectors by machines via automation realized by science, does not actually connote the deprivation of job opportunities as claimed by common fallacies, but rather a necessary revolutionary paradigm shift which promises to heighten productivity and efficiency, hence ushering in new prospects in alignment with the increasing demands of modernization. In fact, this translates into a more efficacious deployment of human resources in other areas whereby machinery and automation fail to assume the primary role and function. With increased productivity and enhanced convenience hence bettered living standards, science harmonizes once again, with and ultimately, for humanity.

            Transportation, being scarce and primitive in the bygone days of yesteryears, was ineffective in a world and age which knew not mobility. The advent of science, however has drastically revolutionized the scenario, realizing what primitive men in the past would have called pious hopes and futile dreams --- the invention of transport. Indeed, progress and advancements in science, driven by the urgency of humanity for freedom and mobility, have fuelled the development of efficient vehicles to the benefit of mankind nowadays. Cars have long played a pivotal role in man’s everyday life, serving as a crowning complement to the perfection of modern living without which much inconvenience is felt. Airplanes, serving the fulfillment of mankind’s dream to soar since time immemorial, are of manifest importance to the transportation of passengers and goods across the globe. Such enrichment of life, invariably, is rendered reality in the wake of science for humanity.

 No doubt, the revolution in science holds great promise for humanity, but also great risk. History shows that new scientific advances are almost always turned into weapons. With this in mind, all scientists, professionals and all employers have a responsibility to uphold the international rules preventing the hostile use of science, especially biotechnology for unscrupulous and vicious causes. By working together, we can ensure that science serves only to benefit humanity.

            Indeed, the marvels technology has worked for mankind in every sphere of modern living, manifest endlessly and infinitely, the beauty and glory of science to the betterment of humanity. Put to wise and gainful use, science is bound to unleash new and exciting vistas for humanity of every conceivable scale, means and forms, hence evermore paving the way towards a bettered future. And ultimately, therein, lies the beauty of science for humanity.