Mia Krysa

Even though we’ve witnessed some of technology’s amazing benefits in today’s society, it often comes at a price.

Tech is so much smarter than we are. The Center of Humane Technology explained it perfectly: Technology is extremely profitable, so it often develops faster than our ability to regulate it or understand its long-term effects.” Isn’t that crazy? Our brains can’t even comprehend information at the same rate as the technology being used today.

Over these last few weeks, I’ve done a lot of thinking about tech, society, and how it’s changed how we behave. And right now, we only know its short-term effects, as the more advanced technology hasn’t come about until recent years. The rise of artificial intelligence is something that I, personally, have troubling comprehending.

AI can do everything that humans can — but faster, and maybe in some situations, better. It can create images, and stories, gather information, answer questions, and more. There seems to be no limit to what it can do.

Because technology is becoming so advanced, “it means we are rapidly disseminating technology with dangerous, exponentially advancing applications.” For example, the genetically modified babies. Let me explain.

I didn’t even know this was an actual thing until I read this journal. He Jiankui (a scientist) and his team, used CRISPR technology to disable the CCR5 gene in two babies, which enables HIV infection. While I think his intentions were fair, it’s up for debate on whether this practice is ethical. The babies couldn’t consent in embryo, and we don’t know the long-term effects of disabling this gene. What if it causes other problems in different areas? What’s even crazier to me is that “CRISPR-Cas9 has made it possible to add, delete or replace genes, thereby opening the door to new types of genetic interventions.” Our technology has become so advanced to the point where we can change, edit, or delete genes. Whoever thought this would be possible?

It’s overwhelming to think about the types of advancements we’ve had in technology lately. I can’t imagine a world where we have thousands upon thousands of genetically modified babies walking the planet. On the bright side, technology is so advanced that as a society, we can learn to use it for good. He Jiankui ended up serving 3 years in jail for performing “illegal medical practices,” but so far, the two babies are still healthy. Do you think that’s a fair punishment? Or that genes should be allowed to be modified? Do the benefits of technology outweigh the risks? I’m not so sure.