Test 3 Content:

This unit examines science and technology in WWI. The major ideas we will explore in this section include technological success and failure, as well as issues of management/control.

World War I occurred from 1914-1918. This war resulted in over 37 million military casualties, including those who died or were wounded. When it was over, people called it "The Great War" or the "War to end all Wars" because they believed that a war of this scale and magnitude could never happen again. We know this is false, as WWII took place only a short time later.

These tragic numbers are relevant to our story and are intimately connected to the role of science and technology in WWI. One important quote which is crucial to our discussion is this: "WWI was a 20th Century War fought with 19th Century Tactics." Do you understand what this means? Simply put, it refers to the idea that this "modern" war included the use of many 20th century advanced weapons, yet the strategies and tactics employed were often out of the 1800s. As you can imagine, this resulted in a number of what many historians call "unnecessary" deaths during the war.

While we will closely examine the problem of strategy in WWI, we will begin by looking at the "mixed" attitudes that people had toward science and technology during this time. This might be a very difficult thing to imagine, as we live in a world today where most countries are extremely positive and enthusiastic about the latest advancements in technology. This was NOT the case in WWI. While some technologies were viewed very positively, such as naval techs and airplanes, many military personnel had far more negative and ambivalent attitudes towards other weapons such as the machine gun or poisonous gas. We will examine why so many military and political leaders on both sides considered these devices to be "unfair," "unsporting" and even "unethical," and why their attitudes began to slowly change as the war progressed.

The role of strategy is especially important to consider in WWI because when the war began, most people expected a short war - one that would not last more than eight weeks. Eight weeks eventually turned into four years, and you can imagine the strategic problems that occurred as a result of a longer war- especially a war that was mired in the trenches. Problems with strategy were apparent with both existing and newer technologies, and was exacerbated thanks to the role of mass production. It is no coincidence that WWI has been called the war of mass production - a key idea I want you to consider.

Our exploration of technology in WWI also examines some of the "newer" weapons of war such as poisonous gas, tanks and the use of airplanes in battle, and whether these technologies were instrumental in determining the outcome of the war.

Each of these technologies has a different story. Poisonous gas was considered one of the "deadliest" weapons of WWI, and its devastating impact bothered so many people that it was banned for future wars. Tanks were initially seen as a great way of getting past the problems of trench warfare - until they ran out of gas or broke down in the middle of the battlefield. Lastly, a discussion of airplanes will reveal that many young men wanted to be air fighter pilots during this war despite the fact that the average life span of a pilot was only six weeks! 

Finally, we will look at reasons why WWI ended, and the important role the US played in determining the outcome of the war. In terms of management and control, we will explore the term "flexible democracy" to see how countries like the US organized themselves for this large-scale war, and why certain countries like the US and Canada emerged stronger and more powerful once the war was over.

January 22: Science, Technology and Political Ideology in WWII and Cold War - Overview

This unit examines the important role that political ideology can play in shaping science and technology. Specifically, we will be looking at how different political environments (both dictatorships and democracies), influenced the path of scientific and engineering projects in WWII and the Cold War era. While politics has always influenced science and technical development, this time period provides us with some powerful examples. Themes to consider include management/control (especially in relation to politics) and technology and race.

The Cold War began almost immediately after the conclusion of WWII. Remember that although the Americans and Soviets had been allies in WWII, this was an uneasy alliance at best. Following the war, these two countries with divergent political, social and economic philosophies began a "cold war" that lasted until the late 1980s. The reason it was called a cold war was because a possible "World War III" was now associated with a nuclear war. For decades, an atomic bomb attack was a very real fear worldwide, and the fact that both sides had access to nuclear weapons resulted in major tensions between the countries and their allies until the fall of the Soviet Union. 

We will begin our story by looking at what the term "ideology" means and its relation to politics. I will then introduce you to the concept of "ideologically correct science" (ICS), an idea covered in one of the readings for this unit. We will examine the rewards and punishment system of ICS, and see why connecting politics with science is another reason why we can't always consider science as a "value-free" or "neutral" discipline. Remember, scientists are born and raised in certain political and social environments, and as a result might develop their own biases and prejudices based on their upbringing. What is fascinating is how these prejudices and biases can actually permeate into their own scientific research projects. 

We will then explore three major case studies related to ICS. The first one takes us to Nazi Germany in WWII Hitler wanted to create an "Aryan" as opposed to "Jewish" science. Following this, we will look at the Soviet Union during the height of the Cold War. At this time, their leader, Joseph Stalin, wanted to create a "Marxist" based science and rejected the "bourgeois" science of the Western world.  This led him to support the work of a scientist named Trofim Lysenko and his very controversial (and ultimately incorrect) theory of vernalization. Finally, we will turn our attention to the US during the height of "anti-communism,” and see how fears of communism led to the downfall of the country's most famous and well-respected scientist - J. Robert Oppenheimer.

January 29:

Historical Controversies in Genetic Engineering Research - Overview

This unit examines three historical case studies related to genetic research. The major themes to consider are management and control as well as science, technology, and issues of gender and race. 

Our first case study is the story about the race to find the structure of DNA that took place after WWII. We will examine the different individuals who contributed to this discovery, and some of the ethical and morally questionable actions of certain parties involved. While credit for the discovery of DNA structure is attributed to the scientists James Watson and Francis Crick, you will learn about the key role that a female scientist named Rosalind Franklin played in this discovery, and the career obstacles that female scientists like Franklin faced at the time.

Our next story is about the origins of the Human Genome project (HGP). This will provide you with some important background information for your next unit on modern day genetic controversies. The reason is because the results of the HGP have today raised many important legal, ethical and moral questions concerning the use of this type of research.

Lastly, we will explore the history of the eugenics movement in the US during the early 20th century. For decades, eugenics was considered a legitimate science, and eugenicists were often seen as reputable researchers. Unfortunately, we know today that eugenics was anything but a value-free and neutral science. Rather, eugenicists tried to justify both gender and racial bias by claiming they had scientific "proof" which showed one gender was smarter than the other and that different ethnicities had different levels of intelligence. We will investigate the work of early Eugenicists and specifically focus on their ideas associated with intelligence testing. Please make sure to have the intelligence "test" in this section on hand when going through this unit. It was originally part of an IQ test given to American soldiers in WWI. Listen to the audio cast which not only provides you with "answers," to this test, but which highlights how these tests were less "proof" of one's intelligence but rather an indication of one's socio-economic status.

In addition to these case studies, there are two legal stories about patents and genetic research that have had a major impact in the courts. Read about the stories of Diamond vs. Chakrabarty and John Moore vs. The University of California to find out why.

Modern Day Genetic Engineering Research Controversies - Overview

This unit explores five modern day controversies related to genetics research. Many themes will be highlighted including technology and race/class/gender issues, management and control, technology and religion, and how users shape new technologies.

For this section, you will learn about five different controversial topics related to genetics research today. This includes:

a. Mandatory genetic testing

b. Pre-natal genetic testing

c. Nature versus Nurture debate

d. Germ Line Gene Therapy (also referred to as creating "designer" babies)

e. Genetic Cloning

This unit is different from the others. First, I am not going to provide you with detailed notes on these debates. Rather, you will be making your own notes after listening to classroom discussion about each controversy.

• Naval Power: Key in WW2, battleships and aircraft carriers crucial.

• WW2 Tactics: Blitzkrieg, island hopping, strategic bombing.

• Trench Warfare: Stalemate, trenches, barbed wire, horrors.

• War of Mass Production: Industrial output vital for war success.

• Chemical Warfare: Use of gases, mustard gas, impact on soldiers.

• State Industry and War: Governments controlled production for war effort.

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  Science and Technology in World War 2

  • Radar: Developed by the British, radar technology played a crucial role in detecting enemy aircraft and ships, giving the Allies a strategic advantage.

  • Atomic Bomb: The Manhattan Project led to the development of the atomic bomb, which was used by the United States on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, leading to the end of the war.

  • Codebreaking: The breaking of the German Enigma code by British mathematician Alan Turing and his team at Bletchley Park helped the Allies intercept crucial enemy communications.

  • Penicillin: Mass production of penicillin during the war saved countless lives by treating infections and wounds, revolutionizing medicine.

  • Jet Engines: Germany developed the first operational jet-powered aircraft, the Messerschmitt Me 262, changing the future of aviation.

  • Computers: The war accelerated the development of computers, with machines like the Colossus being used for codebreaking and calculations.

  • Sonar: Sonar technology was used for detecting submarines, helping in anti-submarine warfare.

  • Drones: The first unmanned aerial vehicles were developed during World War 2 for use as target practice.

  • Advancements in Medicine: World War 2 led to advancements in trauma surgery, blood transfusions, and prosthetics, improving medical practices for years to come.

  • Rocket Technology: The V-2 rocket developed by Germany laid the foundation for future space exploration and missile technology.

  
  

  • Science, Technology, and Political Ideology in WW2 and the Cold War: During WW2, scientific advancements were crucial for military strategies. The Cold War saw a race in technology, like the space race, influenced by political ideologies of capitalism and communism. These periods highlighted the intersection of science, technology, and political ideologies in shaping global events.

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  Historical Genetic Engineering Controversies

  • 1970s-1980s: Recombinant DNA Technology

    • Concerns about creating new organisms with unknown risks.

    • Asilomar Conference in 1975 established safety guidelines.

  • 1990s: Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

    • Introduction of GMOs raised concerns about environmental impact and food safety.

    • Labeling laws and public protests against GMOs.

  • 2000s: Cloning

    • Dolly the sheep in 1996 raised ethical concerns about cloning.

    • Debate over human cloning for reproductive or therapeutic purposes.

  • 2010s: CRISPR-Cas9

    • CRISPR-Cas9 technology raised ethical dilemmas due to its potential for germline editing.

    • Calls for regulations and moratoriums on human germline editing.

  • Current Issues

    • Gene editing in embryos for disease prevention raises ethical concerns.

    • Genetic discrimination and privacy issues with the rise of direct-to-consumer genetic testing.

  • Future Challenges

    • Balancing scientific advancement with ethical considerations.

    • International cooperation and regulations for genetic engineering technologies.

  Modern-Day Genetic Engineering Controversies

  • CRISPR Technology:

    • Pros: Precise gene editing, potential for curing genetic diseases.

    • Cons: Ethical concerns, fear of designer babies, unintended consequences.

  • GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms):

    • Pros: Increased crop yield, resistance to pests and diseases.

    • Cons: Environmental impact, potential health risks, corporate control over food supply.

  • Gene Patenting:

    • Pros: Encourages innovation and investment in research.

    • Cons: Limits access to genetic information, ethical concerns about ownership of life forms.

  • Cloning:

    • Pros: Potential for medical advancements, preservation of endangered species.

    • Cons: Ethical concerns, fear of human cloning, lack of genetic diversity.

  • Data Privacy:

    • Concerns: Genetic data security, misuse of information for discrimination or profiling.

  • Regulation:

    • Debate: Balancing innovation with ethical considerations, need for transparent and stringent regulations.

  • Public Perception:

    • Diverse Views: Some see genetic engineering as a solution to global challenges, while others fear unknown consequences and loss of natural diversity.