Science: Its History and Development

Science: Its History and Development — page 9
SCIENCE Its HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SCIENCE IN SOCIETY Science plays a major role in society and even nonscientists can appreciate scientific progress Because of science human under standing of the past present and future is constantly in a state of flux For instance decades ago the notion of identifying the entire genetic code of an organism would have seemed an impossible feat Today it is a mark of scientific progress Because sci entific inquiry never ceases to exist events once dismissed as material for science fic tion such as medical therapy based on an individual's genetic makeup now seem inevitable Science technology can be found in nearly all aspects of everyday life For instance if electricity had never been discovered elec tric appliances heaters and lights would not exist Electronic components found in radios television sets laptop computers and cellular telephones are now smaller and more reliable than before Advances in electronics are respon sible for what is called the digital age Through computer technology information can be pro cessed and communicated globally in seconds 14