Social Control of S & T

1. To prevent/regulate unprecedented magnitude of potential side effects especially with the environment

2. To prevent social inequalities

3. To foster freedom of choices (consumers)

4. To ensure proper usage of gov’t money

Justification for Social Control

To prevent/regulate unprecedented magnitude of potential side effects especially with the environment

Justification for Social Control

• Avoid disasters & hazards in transportation, food, and the environment.

To prevent/regulate unprecedented magnitude of potential side effects especially with the environment

Justification for Social Control

malfunctions of aircraft/boat

To prevent/regulate unprecedented magnitude of potential side effects especially with the environment

Justification for Social Control

Proliferation of double dead meat

To prevent/regulate unprecedented magnitude of potential side effects especially with the environment

Justification for Social Control

emissions of vehicles/factories

To prevent/regulate unprecedented magnitude of potential side effects especially with the environment

Justification for Social Control

health effects of dumping sites

Transport Accidents

Doña Paz (1987), Doña Marilyn (1988), Princess of the Orient (1998), Princess of the Stars Sulpicio Lines (2008), MV Maharlika-2 (2012), Sunken Sokor Ferry (2014).

Botcha

Food Safety: "___" (double-dead meat) illegally sold.

Environmental Risks

___: Vehicle emissions, factory pollution, nuclear plant accidents of explosion'/leakage (Three Mile Island, 1979; Chernobyl Disaster, 1986); Fukishima I Nuclear Power Plant, Japan)

To prevent social inequalities

Justification for Social Control

• Ensure fair access to resources and protection from harm.

Examples:

• Government Regulations: Generic drugs, birth control pills, regulated rice distribution.

• Legal Protection: Product liability laws (e.g., smoking areas, nuclear waste laws).

To Foster Freedom of Choices

Justification for Social Control

• Enable consumers to make informed decisions.

Examples:

• Product Transparency: Food labeling for GMOs, ingredient lists on products.

• Consumer Rights: Access to right and pertinent information about product safety and performance.

To Ensure Proper Use of Government Funds

Justification for Social Control

• Prevent corruption and misuse of public money.

Example:

• Fertilizer Fund Scam (2006): P728 million misused by over 100 congressmen.

Fertilizer Fund Scam

____ (2006): P728 million misused by over 100 congressmen.

Macapagal Highway

P 2 Billion - most expensive road built

1. Product Liability Litigation/IP

2. Legislative Limits* = Laws/Bills

3. EIA/TIA (Environmental/Technological Impact Assessment)

4. Government regulation

5. Public Participation

6.Funding & Performance (Gov’t & NGOs)

Social Control 6 Influential Modes

Product Liability Litigation

Social Control 6 Influential Modes

Can get compensatory damages/ Punitive (disciplinary) damages

1. Negligence

2. Breach of Warranty

3. Misrepresentation

4. Strict Liability

Grounds for liability

Breach of Warranty

failure of the product to fit its intended purpose or to measure to any explicit claim

Misrepresentation

advertising or promotion gives buyer a false sense of security (no label/ no warning)

Strict Liability

injuries caused by a defect in the product == defect in the product

Examples : contamination in the food plastic/foreign materials in the food; product recall*

Negligence

Defects in design, production, or testing.

Republic Act 7394 (Consumer Act of the Philippines)

Republic Act 9711 (FDA Act of 2009)

• FDA: Food and Drugs Administration

Key Consumer Protection Laws in the Philippines

Republic Act 7394 (Consumer Act of the Philippines)

• Protects consumers and promotes fair business practices.

• Key Provisions:

  • Article 23: Adulterated food is illegal.

  • Article 63: Fraudulent weights and measures prohibited.

  • Article 77: Minimum labeling requirements for products.

• Consumer Rights Include:

  • Right to basic needs, safety, information, choice, representation, redress, consumer education, and a healthy environment.

Article 23: Adulterated food is illegal.

Republic Act 7394 (Consumer Act of the Philippines) Article 23

Article 77: Minimum labeling requirements for products.

Republic Act 7394 (Consumer Act of the Philippines) Article 77

Right to

1. basic needs

2. safety

3. information

4. choice

5. representation

6. redress

7. consumer education

8. and a healthy environment

Consumer Rights Include:

Republic Act 9711 (FDA Act of 2009)

• Strengthens the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

• Key Reforms:

  • Establishes testing labs and field offices.

  • Upgrades equipment and personnel.

  • Grants authority to retain income for better regulation.