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Science and Technology in Society and Service of Man

Science and technology are often considered together as they are very closely related. In many
fields of science, practical skills produce theoretical understanding as well as data for the
organized study. In other cases, theoretical studies provide the urge to find practical applications. Page | 1
Pure knowledge is often associated with science while practical skills are said to be technology.
In other words, science deals with the pursuit of organized knowledge while technology seeks
the use of organized knowledge to solve practical problems. While science has been defined as
an attempt by human beings to organize their experiences into meaningful systems of
explanation, technology is a series of scientific activities aimed at applying the products of
science to productive purposes.

Technology could also be defined as the scientific study of the mechanical arts or the applied
sciences. It can be said to be the application of scientific generalizations in the industry to
practical tasks.

Science and technology have contributed in no small measure to human existence, civilization,
and knowledge development because they influence many aspects of our daily life; from the
food, we eat to where and how we live, how we identify criminals or treat diseases, etc., as
evident in the following discussion:

Human Growth and Development:

Human beings will not function or grow if the information encoded in the DNA is not passed
from generation to generation or cell to cell. DNA is present in the chromosomes within a cell.
Every chromosome contains genes and each gene is located at a specific site on the chromosome
called a locus. Chromosomes vary in size and shape and usually occur in matched pairs called
homologues. The number of homologous chromosomes in a cell is organism dependent; for
example, cells in the human body contain 23 pairs of chromosomes. In humans, cells divide to
produce new cells, each of which requires the genetic information found in DNA.

There are two types of cell divisions in humans, and they are mitosis and meiosis. These cell
divisions ensure growth and passage of DNA from cell to cell during reproduction respectively.
Mitosis produce daughter cells of similar chromosome numbers individually and which are also
similar to their parental cell. Meiosis is a kind of cell division in which the number of
chromosomes in daughter cells is half the parental content. Meiosis is responsible for gametes
production in the gonads of humans. During sexual reproduction, an egg and sperm unite to form
a zygote which gradually matures into foetus and later a mature human being.
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Agriculture / Food Production:

The survival and continuous existence of man are dependent upon the availability of food. As the
population of the world continues to increase, the practical utilization of science and technology
is assuming a greater significance. In agriculture, genetic advances enable scientists to alter plant
or animal to make it more useful. For instance, some food crops, such as oranges, potatoes, Page | 2
wheat, and rice, have been genetically altered to withstand insect pests, resulting in higher crop
yield. Tomatoes and apples have been modified so that they resist discoloration or bruising on
their way to market, enhancing their appeal on super market shelves. The genetic makeup of
cows has been modified to increase their milk production, and cattle raised for beef have been
altered so that they grow faster. Increases in yields of crop such as rice, maize, yam, cassava,
tomatoes, cowpea, cocoa etc. and improvement in flavor and size as well as production of cattle,
pigs, fish, and poultry have all benefitted from mankind tremendously through a special
technique in genetics known as hybridization. Hybridization is a process of selective breeding of
existing species thereby producing species with better quality and quantity. Through it, man is
able to develop fast growing, highly resistant and varieties of food products to feed the ever-
increasing human population.

Medicine:

Application of genetics especially has increased knowledge in medicine. About 3 – 5% of the

world population (200 million people) is estimated to be afflicted with serious genetic disease.
Many of these diseases and abnormalities are now known to have genetic basis and their
treatments are thereby facilitated. In medical applications, genetic technologies have been
instrumental in the development of gene therapy. In this form of treatment, scientists try to cure
disease by replacing malfunctioning genes with healthy ones. Gene therapy has shown promise
in treating some devastating conditions, including some forms of cancer and cystic fibrosis.
Genetically engineered vaccines are being tested for possible use against HIV the virus that
causes AIDS. Even in general, it takes the application of science and technology to understand
the nature of any disease and the design of appropriate treatment.

Law / Detection of Crime:

Scientific technologies have also help convict criminals. DNA recovered from semen, blood,
skin cells, or hair found at a crime scene can be analyzed in laboratory and compared with the
DNA of a suspect. An individual’s DNA is as unique as a set of finger prints, and a DNA match
can be used in a courtroom as evidence connecting a person to a crime.

Analysis of blood type, a genetically determined character can be used to solve problems of
disputed parentage.

Genetic Counseling:
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The probability of a particular desirable or undesirable trait appearing in the children of a couple
can be provided by geneticist, thereby facilitating a better human and social interaction.
Questions encountered might range from the probability of a couple having child of a particular
sex, any albino or a sickle cellar appearing among the offspring. The understanding of the
genetic make-up of the couple and relevant medical support may result to a desired sex. Genetics Page | 3
can therefore help such families maintain normal human existence.

Industrial Revolution / Bioengineering:

Scientific knowledge has revolutionized the way industries produce certain substances, many of
which formerly required costly manufacturing methods. Bioengineering offers the hope of
creating more effective antibiotics and Human Growth Hormone treatment for Dwarfism. In
addition, geneticists can genetically alter bacteria so that they mass-produce specific proteins,
such as insulin used by people with diabetes mellitus or human growth hormone used by children
who suffer from growth disorders.

Communication / Telecommunications:

Science and tech. has reduced the world into a global village. Media communication including
telephone, fax, e-mail, postal, internet, radio, television, CCTV are important innovations of
science and tech. that have really facilitated human interactions and encouraged commerce and
trade.

Transportation:

Through science and tech, it is now possible to move around the world and even beyond. We
now have ships, air crafts, and vehicles produced by years of research in science and technology.
Through these machines, we can now explore beyond our immediate environment, including the
outer space.

Basic Amenities:

Basic amenities, such as reliable water supply, electricity, good roads, clothing etc. are all direct
benefits offered by scientific and technological developments.

Superstitions and Bias:

Certain practices or occurrences that were once considered to be taboos are now being challenged by
scientific findings. For example, killing of twins, tribal marks and female circumcision are fast
becoming out of fashion.

Problems of Science in the under / developing Countries

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1. Illiteracy: this is the most serious problem facing scientific research efforts in West
Africa. Most countries in West Africa have very high percentage of illiteracy.
2. Secrecy: many people in West Africa tend to have a special liking for secrecy.
Information meant for public consumption is kept by some as secrete.
3. Inadequate equipment. Page | 4
4. Lack of interest in the research findings.
5. Lack of political will.