The Science behind Cancer Screening: Ethical and Regulatory Challenges

and the monetary factors that impact medical care and community outreach...and the underlying issues should come to mind-

 

1. How far do you agree that health is the responsibility of the State, not of the individual? ( Cambridge 2000)


2. To what extent is it acceptable for private companies to be involved in financing scientific research? (Cambridge 2011)


3. To what extent can the regulation of scientific or technological developments be justified? (Cambridge 2014)

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/experts-flag-potential-harm-indiscriminate-cancer-screening?page=1

Social Issues and 'Reality' : 2 Views of the Family

The annual Pink Dot event at Hong Lim Park
http://www.economist.com/news/asia/21580526-some-countries-consider-gay-marriage-elsewhere-attitudes-harden-fifty-shades-pink


AWARE Saga (2009)
http://we.are.aware.org.sg/2009/05/08/saga-per-the-economist/


The Health Promotion Board's FAQs on Sexuality
http://www.hpb.gov.sg/HOPPortal/gamesandtools-article/HPB055647


NLB's controversial removal of certain books (2014)
http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/nlb-pulls-two-childrens-books-dont-promote-family-values


Constitutional challenges against Section 377A.
http://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2007/10/377a-serves-public-morality-nmp-thio-li-ann/


https://pluralsg.wordpress.com/2007/10/22/parliamentary-debate-on-section-377a-part-6-indranee-rajah/

 

 

What do these examples or events have in common? What is the underlying politics to these significant social issues we have encountered during class?

 

Perhaps they all share a concern to reaffirm or protect the cherished ideals of 'family life' in Singapore.

==============================================
But what is a 'family'?


How would a more thoughtful reflection of the term help us to better critique the above events or refine our understanding towards unquestioned notions of what it means to be 'family'  in Singapore or elsewhere?

 

Students frequently commit the fallacy of subscribing to their OWN version of reality whenever they pen essays, resulting in a worldview is that totally absurd, outdated  or ill-informed.

 

What you see  / expect/ taught to accept may not be the realities as to how others choose to live their lives. Learn to question and reason and not merely assert your own point of view. The writer here makes a provocative claim on a taken-for-granted 'concept' and 'institution' present in every society around the world.

 

How would that impact your understanding of wider / changing social trends that affect the family in Singapore?


Do laws and social norms always tell you the 'truth' in what you see, know or live by? 


'Who' maintains and enforces them?


Should these simply be accepted without thought or question?


Can subtle forms of social injustice be seen in how we define, defend or uphold our notion of what makes a 'family' in Singapore?







http://sgconscience.blogspot.sg/2014/07/the-family-on-trial-two-views-of-family.html

More to Grexit

A deepening crisis making the headlines daily...
a national crisis with global implications...



http://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/greece-caught-in-death-spiral

The concepts and root causes examined here are fairly accessible.

Paper 1- the need for depth and the unspoken demands in the minds of most examiners each time students try to elaborate on an example without the right concepts in mind. 

If Grexit is your kind of thing and if it fits the question tackled,  note the rewards that come with clear understanding and mastery of the issues published in articles like these.

Paper 2:
It wouldn't take you too long to realize that the writer makes allusions to Greek mythology to frame his case study. What is his intention in doing so?  

Back to Paper 1 skills:
How does it impact your understanding of voice and style in writing?

Can Religion and Science Coexist?

A difficult topic to write about and students were often told to steer away from it should their 'fav' questions in 'sci&tech' featured religion as a keyword to deal with. Yes, agreed, in many cases.


A student once told me that one must wrestle with religion before gaining a personal voice to deal with it confidently. That was spoken with much wisdom, a far cry from clueless ones who waffle their way through, using rehashed points memorized from various sources (good only to a certain extent) but not when it becomes a mechanical undertaking, written with little understanding.


This recent take on an age-old divide shows how the debate is evolving, bringing fresh insights into the easy gulf that seems to separate the two. The last 2 pieces, (written much earlier), contribute deeper perspectives to the discussion.


http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/07/religion-science-coexist-faith-versus-fact-coyne/396362/


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jeffrey-small/the-battle-between-science-and-religion_b_938045.html


http://tech.mit.edu/V132/N25/anil.html




http://www.huffingtonpost.com/krista-tippett/reconciling-science-and-r_b_634395.html




Applied fields:


Medicine and the Science of Miracles (?)
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/408068


http://www.economist.com/node/304212


Evolutionary Biology-
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/10/1018_041018_science_religion_2.html


The Social Sciences and Research into Human Sexuality-
http://www.religioustolerance.org/hom_fixe.htm


There might be 2 outcomes in reading these news- 


1. Be convinced of the double-bind and trap that haunt those intending to specialize in sci & tech essays in exams.


2. A renewed fascination and respect for this great debate, one that reveals your own sense of wonder and love for life and knowledge


3. Wisdom to know the difference :)

Heritage, Culture and Singapore's Botanic Gardens: A Historic First

Even I didn't believe it could happen in my lifetime. And what an achievement!
A perfect gift for our 50th birthday.





But what is the fuss and underlying sense of honour of being accorded a place in UNESCO's many world heritage sites?


Beyond the obvious national pride and economic rewards that are attached to this award, what else can we learn from the values that humanity accords to  natural and cultural sites in our region / world?




In a country known more for its economic pragmatism, concrete jungles, struggles with land scarcity and natural resources, would this rare accolade signify our maturity as a nation? What role do abstract and intangible aspects like botanical values, social memory and landscape design contribute to our unique place in the international community?




Overview:
https://www.heartmap.sg/a-garden-heritage/




A Balanced Critique of the awards:


http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/politics/the-big-question-what-is-a-world-heritage-site-and-does-the-accolade-make-a-difference-997955.html




Perhaps, a good sign of a healthy society and as always, there's good natured ribbing in the making :P


http://sghardtruth.com/8-types-of-singaporeans-that-could-not-celebrate-singapore-botanic-gardens-becoming-unesco-world-heritage-site/

Using Concepts to analyze events: Trending for Depth

Assertions in essays bring us nowhere. And so we are taught to substantiate our points. Examiners also ask for proof to back up our claims. And so, it's not easy being a student these days.


It will be no different when you become an undergraduate.


The sad episode involving Amos Yee continues to stir much debate online. It has also found its way into several essays dealing with censorship and rights in the recently concluded CT2. Enhance your arguments further by looking beyond the typical 4W1h approach to argumentation. At the end of the day, mechanical application of writing skills cannot replace the rewards that come from wide and thoughtful reading.


How would this article below impact your interpretation of the above episode?


http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/cases-against-bloggers-dominate-dialogue-pm


Do you see larger trends and stronger concepts to help add muscle to a point made?


=====================================================================
Trends.




They can often inform your writing and impact your planning way before you put thoughts into writing. Astute students tap them to enhance their notes on various issues in GP. On a practical level, your engagement of questions in Paper 1 (in particular, those dealing with local and global issues)  can be enriched by some understanding of modern trends that shape how stakeholders manage conflict or change in their societies.


A note of caution:
Do not apply them randomly or in isolation unless you have a clear understanding of their contexts and purpose. A consult or a dedicated tutorial will be helpful in showing you its rewards or pitfalls in essay planning and execution. Make your requests known.


The following sources detail some of these significant trends.








Never mouth them off as convenient hash-tags to throw into your essays. Understand what they really mean and their limits. Know  1-2 examples that enable you to comprehend what these concepts are really about. They will serve your purpose well and may do a lot to impact the introduction to a related essay. The second link provides additional reading for you to better make the connection between 'big theories / trends' like these and how they apply in the real world...


A 'VUCA' World:
Concepts:
http://www.slideshare.net/dcaron/its-a-vuca-world-cips-cio-march-5-2009-draft


Examples:
http://www.todayonline.com/world/asia/us-asia-pacific-developing-new-rules-changing-world


http://www.todayonline.com/world/moonshot-save-warming-planet?page=2


http://www.todayonline.com/world/middle-east/myths-isis-and-sisi?page=1




Trust, Knowledge, Connectivity, Livability:
Sustainable Growth and Development


Concepts:
http://www.peopleandplanetandprofit.com/


Examples:
http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/asia-booms-spore-must-evolve-stay-competitive-dpm-teo




Future Growth in Technology and New Job Sectors:
Concept:
http://asia-automation-abundance.wikispaces.com/


Examples:
http://www.todayonline.com/chinaindia/china/aiib-and-chinese-strategy?page=1


http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/computational-thinking-essential-skill-next-generation?page=1




The Modern Quest for Work, Purpose and Meaning in Life and what governments and other key agents are doing about it to better engage people / citizens. The trickle-down effect on social and educational policies is one impact.


Concept:
http://managetochange.typepad.com/main/dan_pink/index.html


Examples involving educational policy, social mindsets, national identity and minority rights in Singapore 


http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/sporeans-exam-smarts-could-come-expense-encouraging-innovation-experts?page=1


http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/education-system-has-evolve-spur-creativity


http://www.todayonline.com/voices/singapores-biggest-test-dilution-national-identity


http://www.todayonline.com/commentary/pulau-ubin-and-unsettled-spore-psyche?page=2


http://www.todayonline.com/commentary/resetting-mindsets-about-disability?page=1


http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/why-we-need-more-light-less-heat-sexuality-issues

Science and Technology: History, Innovation and Ethical Dilemmas

Issues dealing with science, technology and the ethics that shape their development- A pictorial revision





Role and History of Science: 6 part series.
And you don't have to watch everything to appreciate all that is already there in your notes-


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1roRWg5x0U




Medicine & Healthcare-


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dikKPt3ypqU




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrW3-yzWt5Q




Food Security, Production and the Greater Environment:
Agriculture & Biotechnology, Green Tech, Energy Production and Resources-


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tEtgBRoUbg




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4D8EqEOXFS8




Defence and Military-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egnwFfVo5Mk




Robotics and Automation-


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJonPMa4Lic




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rt0KOp5UiAI




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LatqW98SMXU




Information Science and Communications-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niIagSm0d5Q




Investments in Sci and Tech: Controversies, Ethics and Impact


Research into Stem Cells-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLPyrbCu0wc&list=PLYh7vgRRePG_mTsJ3rbrQSy2TVrvaG35R



The use of animals in scientific experiments-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZKWqAtQ1M8


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_L5h4VRZHhc




GMO-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mz4_TwdaYeI


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGyOwnqpCKk


Big Data, Cyber-security and the Dark Web-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXajND7BQzk





Science vs Religion:  Who should have the  greater say on moral issues in life?


Can both complement our needs and quest for meaning and purpose in life?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUzewPmBlC4


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLcK3Up8z7c