Progress

« Progress We are going to talk about the notion of “Progress”.

To begin with, I would like to give a definition of myth, it is usually considered as something positive, an evolution, a change, an improvement.

It can be scientific, social, political, technological… However id progress always progress? Indeed, we have seen, in class, that progress can be dangerous too, so we will analyze the bright and seamy sides of scientific progress. To begin with, medical progress is a big step for mankind.

For example, we have studied in class two text on PGD (Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis).

Both texts deal so whit genetic.

PGD enables geneticists to predict diseases.

PDG can saves lives, for instance Molly Nash suffered from Fanconi’s Anemia but her parents made a designer baby to save her. Then, with the movie “GATTACA”, we have seen a possible future: perfection prevails.

With such society, we would enable to eradicate diseases, there is no jealousy because all is identical, and we would be more intelligent… Now, let’s talk about the disadvantages of progress. For example, we have studied a cartoon which show perfect clone.

The cartoonist aims to criticizing genetic engineering because such a society would be hazardous and unethical. We see it again whit PGD which would enable people to have the perfect baby according to their criteria but it would be discrimination and unfair for the poor.

People would resort to PDG for aesthetic and personal reasons so it’s unethical Moreover, we have already told the movie GATTACA but it’s not natural and unethical: we can’t play God.

We would be like robots.

In case of a virus there is a massive disappearance.

And a perfect race reminds us of Hitler and eugenics. Besides, for instance in India, ultrasound technology enables parents to abort after knowing the child’s gender because girls are burdens (cost too much).

So men can’t find wives and in the future the population will decrease. To conclude, progress is necessary for society and mankind: evolutions technological have made people’s life more comfortable and simple.

However, progress has limits, it is not always progress, it made people addicted and endanger our Earth.

We may wonder how will be the future in 50 years for example.. »