Biobusiness: Agriculture and the Environment

Today we recognised and addressed the concern that in light of the world's skyrocketing population, there is a growing constraint on food supply. We established that GM food may very well be the solution to this problem. It increases the productivity of food production processes and increases the yield of our crops without compromising on the the resources available for our future generations. Furthermore, the promises of GM food include crops that can be genetically engineered to provide human nutrition, crops that are resistant to environmental stresses and pests, and crops that are capable of producing vaccines or antibodies (Biopharming). Prof also introduced the "Structure, Function and Application" model where the success of any technology requires the transition of hard facts and knowledge into appropriate innovations that change the world. Increasingly, we find that more research is now being done in the area of waste management; how we can recycle our wastes, convert it back to raw materials and even use it as an energy source, such that we develop a sustainable production cycle (Eg. Flash Pyrolysis).

Some thoughts:

The problem of feeding millions of malnourished and undernourished people in developing countries is rife. Undoubtedly, GM food will play a crucial role in helping to nourish these people because with genetic engineering we are now able to develop crops that express certain nutrients originally not expressed in parent breeding lines, or nutrients that need to be increased in the amount needed to improve nutrition. Certainly, GM crops that have been tested to be viable should not be withheld from these poor people. However, I personally feel that there are limitations as too how far GM food can help re-nourish these people to a healthy state. Many of the GM foods currently available are specialised to contain a high amount of just one particular nutrition (Like Vitamin A for Golden Rice). Unfortunately, people suffering from one nutrient deficiency will also most likely be suffering from other nutrient deficiencies. Thus, at present, even if the GM foods reach developing countries, how successful will its tackling of one nutrient deficiency be when we are concerned with the lack of so many nutrients. The next step, and challenge, in genetically engineered food research is probably to try and pack a full meal's worth of nutrients into a stable crop like rice or corn. At the same time, we need to genetically engineer these crops to have a longer shelf life such that they can be kept for a longer period without going bad. Having said that, such research and development may take a considerably long time as most of the work today is still mainly focused on developing GM foods containing a high amount of a particular nutrient. Perhaps it would be more effective if we encouraged people to have a balanced diet including green leafy vegetables, fruits and proteins. That being said, more effort has to be put into making these other dietary essentials more accessible to them. 

Next,  GM food cannot and will not be the only answer to malnutrition. There are many reasons why people suffer from malnutrition; the situation is not as straightforward as many people make it out to be. It isn't a simple problem of people just not having enough food to eat because they are poor. Many of the poor remain so because there is also a lack of infrastructure, poor government involvement and initiative, civil wars, military dictatorships, lack of accessibility to markets etc etc. Efforts cannot be limited to GM foods. We need to have huge legal reforms to ensure an appropriate political structure for the distribution of resources, in particular food. Governments need to distribute arable/ productive land effectively and ensure that the poor get all the help they can get to possess basic necessities. Governments also need to encourage its people to diversify their diets and help them gain access to technologies and modern practices that will enable them to grow crops/animals rich in nutrients. The international community also needs to play their part by supporting the development of GM foods, bringing in and teaching locals useful technologies and encouraging its use in developing countries. There is only so much that GM foods can do to solve malnutrition. What the poor really need are, on top of GM foods, the knowledge and accessibility to technology that can enable them to independently grow their crops at a high yield. 

With regard to waste management, I feel that while many today strongly believe in the need to use alternative fuels (renewable sources) that have a less harmful impact on the environment, we also should not forget the need to improve on the currently flawed systems of waste disposal.  Turning to alternative fuels is easy because there isn't much of a change process; we just replace one fuel for another. However, the fact remains that such alternative fuels have yet to be developed or discovered (at least for natural resources) in large quantities to meet current energy requirements. Hence, at least for the short term, there is a more important need to improve on our current systems of waste disposal ie. while we are using the same energy sources like oil and coal and emitting the same type of harmful gases, we have to develop a method or technologies that minimise the emission of greenhouse gases or convert these harmful gases into less harmful ones. For example, there has been recent developments in the area of the disposal of gaseous exhaust from industrial processes.  Scientists are currently in the process of developing a system that separates carbon dioxide from flue gas, mimicking the human respiratory system. 


Key Takeaways:

1. To achieve sustainability, we really need to look into methods that enable us to convert waste products back into raw materials and ensure strict waste management programmes to reduce harm on the environment. 
2. We need biotechnology to achieve food security in the long run. With biotechnology, feeding the entire population on earth is no longer a myth. The challenges that biotechnology needs to address is, less of developing the GM crop per se and more of getting people to accept GM foods and enabling those we really need it to have access to the right technology.
3. I was particularly intrigued by the idea of using algae as a bio-fuel and how modern methods have enabled the growth of algae in 'closed tanks' which do not require sunlight. I am convinced of the promise of algae as a bio-fuel and I really think that this could be a very viable alternative energy source.

Overall Rating: 8/10

BioBusiness: Health Care and Biomedical Science

Today's lesson focused on the shift in the methods of healthcare provision towards remote consultation and customised medicine, how the integration of medical and communication technologies helps to facilitate this process, and finally the reinforcement of the individual's role in taking responsibility for their own health. We also distinguished Biotechnology from BioBusiness; BioBusiness is commercial activity based on an understanding of life science and its processes, and the idea of taking advantage of biological systems to engage in commercial activity. Biotechnology is the application of our knowledge in biology into products and using that knowledge to create the appropriate technology. Finally, we also uncovered the disturbing fact that healthcare costs in USA already account for more than 50% of the world's total healthcare expenditure.

Some thoughts:

1) The article on disruptive innovations is particularly memorable because it had a lot of sense to it. It made me realise that the answer to all our woes about expensive healthcare costs is very much within our reach. Yet, this seems so far away with all the resistance. The examples of the camera, telephone and photocopier were very relevant and highlighted just how effective disruptive technologies can be in making what was once expensive and exclusive, into something that every man can do and have access to. I think it is also important to note that many disruptive technologies today are not pioneering technologies. For example, even though Google became a major search engine, it was not the first of its kind. In fact, there were 10 such search engines before Google came about and revolutionised the industry. Personally, I feel that acceptance is definitely going to be the greatest barrier to overcome before disruptive technologies can go mainstream. Change can be difficult, so a person has to be experiencing real pain in order to want change. A small change is easier for people to accept, rather than changes that will drastically affect the their lives. It will be hard to get people to bravely step away from the security of the status quo and to take the risk of embarking on something that will potentially transform the way they live their lives. And I don't blame people for hesitating; it is rather daunting to take up something that has no guaranteed success. Therefore, I think the most effective way to ensure that disruptive technologies go mainstream is qualm this uncertainty and certify disruptive technologies. This will reassure people of its potential benefits. The government can play a very important role in this. Perhaps the government could set up governmental bodies that deal specifically with the accreditation of disruptive technologies. They could run tests and do market researches to validate feasibility, run trials in selected agencies or in a selected group of people and then certify these technologies. It is also important that these bodies give the public a rough projection of the benefits associated with the application and implementation of such technology. Having said that, the government itself has to believe in the use of disruptive technology and be willing to take that leap of faith. Without the government's support, I feel that such technology will indeed mostly remain unacknowledged, which would be a very sad ending.

2) While I was doing some research on modern health care methods, I came across a very interesting pill bottle that reminds patients when it is time to take their medicine. It's called the GlowCap and it was developed by a company called Vitality. The GlowCap is an intelligent pill bottle that flashes a light when it is time for the patient to take his/her medicine. When the bottle is opened it sends telemetry back to a portal which can be used to track patient medication adherence. It also has an accompanying device that lights up, beeps and even make auto-generate phone calls to you house if you still forget to take your medication.


Vitality GlowCaps from Vitality on Vimeo.

This video ties in with what was mentioned in the video that prof posted, about how many of the patients today suffer from relatively low risk diseases/conditions that can be cured by a strict routine of medication, a healthy diet and exercise. The challenge is then to get these patients to stick to their exercise and drug therapy regimes. More innovative technologies like the GlowCap are sure to rise in the future and they will play a big part in helping us cope with low-risk diseases by ensuring that medication is taken when it is necessary.

Overall rating: 7/10

ICT and World Change

Today's lesson reinforced the pervasiveness of Information & Communication Technology (ICT) in our lives and how it will continue to have a long-lasting effect on the world. We examined the impact of ICTs on humans and also evaluated the extent of success of these technologies based on a variety of criteria from achieving a closely knitted world where everyone has access to the same kind of information to poverty alleviation.

Some thoughts regarding issues covered during the lesson:

1)  I actually agree with the author of Reading 1 that our greatest challenge in managing ICTs today is to balance control and freedom. ICTs can be a double-edged sword, as with any other technology. The great thing about ICTs is that it allows for the decentralisation and democratisation of information. People no longer find that they have only one source of information and for the first time ever, are allowed to select information, evaluate it and make judgements for themselves. There are even avenues for feedback which is crucial for any government or organisation that seeks to improve its policies for the betterment of the people. The empowerment of the people is something I think most developing countries need in order to develop a more diverse and knowledge-based economy. On the other hand, ICTs can also used by those in power to remain powerful or extend their control. The access of knowledge does not necessarily guarantee transformation in societies. As mentioned in class, technology is not always the solution. Without good management and proper processes, technology will serve no more a purpose than without it.

2) Prof's video on Project Natal was really enlightening because it was so amazing to see such ground-breaking technology incorporate aspects of our lives into the virtual world. The huge amount of detail and intricacy placed into Milo's personality, as well as his reactions to the interaction with Claire are just so astonishing...it was as if Milo really existed. It is indeed good to see such 'live' interaction between Milo and Claire: Claire could literally show Milo her drawing and Milo could react to it accordingly, based on her individual design, without relying on pre-programmed answers, thereby suggesting a kind of independent intelligence. However, while I do agree that such Immersive Technology can be applied to everyday life like a virtual caretaker for children when their parents are out or a virtual nurse to remind patients when it is time to take their medicine, it was a little disturbing for me to see technology step into the boundaries of the human realm (I'm probably living up to the quote "Technology is easy, People are hard"). I don't know about other people but I felt disturbed when the narrator described Claire feeling "so connected to Milo's world". The first thought that came to my mind was: If children were in contact with this technology, how would they be able to separate true reality from the virtual one? Would they grow up living in a fantasy world that is detached from reality?

No matter how close the similarities are between virtual humans and real humans, virtual humans are STILL virtual. They do not breathe, eat, sleep and can't be touched in the same way that real human beings do. Also, no matter how similar situations in the virtual world can be depicted to reflect real life, they can never, a hundred percent, be the real life. There are so many unintended and unexpected situations that arise in real life that require us to think on our feet and respond accordingly. This, I feel, is something that no machine can help us cope with, at least not entirely. The element of human touch is still very important and I feel it is important that we do not neglect it despite being overwhelmed with such immersive technology. I guess it all boils down to how extensive this technology is going to be used, how often it is going to be used, and in what circumstances it is going to be used. Using immersive technology for simulations (virtual laboratories, vocational training, educational games) and as back-up solutions are fine, but I think a virtual friend is really too much.

Key Takeaways:

• Cloud Computing and its prospects for the future of companies: Instead of spending loads of money on individual servers containing data for each individual company, information can now be accessible in a "Cloud". This extends to the idea of shared information between companies. While privacy is a concern, we find that companies can now choose to customise their own settings to ensure privacy. But still, it is important that these companies retain information which they think is valuable and always have back-up systems to ensure security. Cloud Computing decreases costs and increases reliability.

Overall Rating: 8/10

Drivers of World Change & Change Management

Today we examined the various factors that lead to world change: environmental drivers such as evolution (transformation from a baby into adult results in both physical and mental changes) and Germs (such as the Plague and it's devastating effects on Europe during the Dark Ages), Scientific Discovery, Globalisation and Changing expectations and tastes. Next, we talked about Change Management and summarised 3 ways by which we cope with change; We be pro-active and anticipate change before it arrives and make change happen, we be reactive and change only when required, or we remain in a state of ignorance and be "surprised" when change happens and cope with the consequences without doing anything significant. We also learned about the "Pessimism-Time Curve" where we have a tendency for positively perceived change by optimistic. However, that optimism inevitably transitions to  informed pessimism when reality proves to be different from our expectations. The peak of the curve is basically where we lose our expectations and hopes. Once communication steps up, we become hopeful again and we move on to "informed optimism", and finally "Completion". We also highlighted the difference between Leadership and Management where leadership provides the drive and means being at the forefront of change, guiding and leading people. Management on the other hand refers to the implementation of ideas to make that change a reality. Finally, the only true way to achieve success is to be courageous enough to take an unprecedented step forward, take the risk and embrace the possibility of failure when implementing change.

" Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly"   - Robert F. Kennedy

Drivers of World Change: In the article about the Zambian Construction Industry, the author talks about how changes in the world are transforming the landscape of the construction industry and raises some key strategies to further propel the industry forward. The construction industry is moving towards privatisation in order to tap into the benefits of a free-market and is starting to view the ensuing competition positively in the sense that it encourages innovation and a need to develop not just a local profile, but an international one as well.  I find it rather encouraging that even a backward country like Zambia is at least aware of the need to change the way it conducts business and is ready and willing to take that step forward to go against the status quo (government control) and incite positive changes in the construction industry. Undoubtedly, this goes to show how important change is to the survival of firms or whole industries in the national or even global arena. Sadly, it can be noted that not all firms choose to be pro-active and anticipate changes or even invoke changes. This is more of a case in countries with very tight and rigid governmental regulation and whose conservative governments fear losing power over the people should they open the economy and let newness into society. For some firms in developed countries, this may be applicable as well. But, if firms in a developing country like Zambia with a history of massive government control can acknowledge the need for change, there is little reason for firms in developed countries to think otherwise. Perhaps it is arrogance (the I-am-great-and-there-is-no-need-to-change mentality) that has caused some firms in developed countries to remain stagnant and remain satisfied with the status quo in their environment. This is rather dangerous because these firms may very well be eating their words when developing countries like China, India or maybe even Zambia catch up with them within the next few decades. This is exactly how fast change works.

Change Management: The reading "Human Change Management: herding Cats" is insightful and is very right in emphasising the importance of incorporating the "people factor" into change schemes not just superficially, but as a significant portion of the programme. Ultimately, it is the people who make up the organisation and make an organisation work. What's the use of having excellent managers with great strategical plans when you don't have staff to carry out and implement the plan in order to achieve the large-scale effect  of this change. I feel that empathy is key to change management because it means that managers know their employees, understand their needs and seek to reconcile the needs of the organisation with the concerns of their employees. This will make the employees feel valued by the company and increases their loyalty and commitment to the company, thereby even increasing their productivity and positive response to the change. I think the reasoning underlying all this is the fact that people resist change because they feel that they are not in control or when there are associated risks at a personal level. Managers should acknowledge this and ensure that their employees' concerns are addressed in order to facilitate smooth and successful progression and the development to better employee-employer relationships.

Key Takeaways:

1. Brain Drain vs Brain Flux: The notion of the best minds from developing countries flocking toward developed countries for better opportunities thereby resulting in a lack of academics in developing countries is untrue. Increasingly, we see that the best from developing countries are returning to their home countries to catalyse change and help bring them out of poverty.
2. CIOs today are not only concerned with the IT infrastructure of the company but with business strategies as well. In order for CIOs to come up with better IT infrastructure, it is important that they are aware of the way business is carried out in their company in the first place. The crucial role of the CIO now is to find ways to incorporate IT into business strategies, particularly to improve its service and cut costs.

Overall rating: 8/10