Discussion Starter During this video clip, look for any statistics which surprise or interest you. Which facts caught your interest? Why? Can this pace of change continue indefinitely?

Access to Technology: The Treatment of HIV/AIDS By the end of this lesson you will: 1.Understand some of the key concepts and terminology of Technology. 2.Have explored the concept of unequal access to technology and the range of impacts this can have. 3.Be aware of the global issue of HIV/AIDS and the issues surrounding its treatment through technology.

Technological Terminology Task On your desk you have an A3 table with 8 new terms (labelled A-H) from your glossary sheet for this unit. You also have 8 photographs (1-8) which represent examples of each of the different terms and 8 definitions (I-VIII). Discuss what each of the terms might mean and then sort them into the appropriate places on the table. Can you think of any additional examples? You have 6 minutes – watch the examples disappear! Be prepared to discuss this with the class

A - Technological leapfrogging VI Jumping from low tech to high tech in one bound B-Geoengineering IV Technology used to change earth’s physical systems C-Nanotechnology II Technology at the micro scale D-Intermediate technology III Relatively low-tech, Low-cost technology E-Appropriate technology VII Technology which meets a need in an efficient way F-Biotechnology I Technology often focussed on genetic material G-Alternative technology V Technology deemed better because it has less environmental impact H-Technological obsolescence VIII Technology which has been significantly bettered Key Term Definition Example Other Examples? A - Technological leapfrogging VI Jumping from low tech to high tech in one bound B-Geoengineering IV Technology used to change earth’s physical systems C-Nanotechnology II Technology at the micro scale D-Intermediate technology III Relatively low-tech, Low-cost technology E-Appropriate technology VII Technology which meets a need in an efficient way F-Biotechnology I Technology often focussed on genetic material G-Alternative technology V Technology deemed better because it has less environmental impact H-Technological obsolescence VIII Technology which has been significantly bettered Key Term Definition Example Other Examples? A - Technological leapfrogging VI Jumping from low tech to high tech in one bound B-Geoengineering IV Technology used to change earth’s physical systems C-Nanotechnology II Technology at the micro scale D-Intermediate technology III Relatively low-tech, Low-cost technology E-Appropriate technology VII Technology which meets a need in an efficient way F-Biotechnology I Technology often focussed on genetic material G-Alternative technology V Technology deemed better because it has less environmental impact H-Technological obsolescence VIII Technology which has been significantly bettered Key Term Definition Example Other Examples?

Technology and HIV/AIDS Anti-retroviral Drugs (ARV) can be a powerful tool in treating HIV, prolonging life of infected people by many years. However, these drugs are patented by MEDC- based TNCs and are therefore too costly for people in LEDCs to access. Some countries ignore the patent law and manufacture illegally in order to save lives. In Brazil this has reduced costs per patient to just $30 a year from $500. However, drug companies use some of the income to recoup R&D costs and to fund further research.

Why is Access to Technology Important? Look carefully at the Worldmapper topological map you have been given on your table and compare it to the life expectancy map – use it to discuss and answer the following questions as a group – note down your answers: 1.Describe the pattern shown in the map/data you have been given. Can you see a link between the two maps? 2.What are the highest and lowest ranked countries and suggest reasons why? 3.How might your groups dataset be related to access to technology?

Life Expectancy Patents GrantedInternet Use Electricity Access Affordable Drugs HIV Prevalence

TASK: Continuum of Opinion Read through the information in your pack on ARV drug access and patent restrictions. Answer the questions on the back of the terminology table sheet. Decide as a pair where you stand on the following discussion point. Once you have formed your view as a pair, write your name on a post-it note and come up and stick this in the appropriate place on the continuum of opinion poster on the wall. Be prepared to justify your view using facts/examples from the pack of information. Do TNCs have a right to charge LEDCs high prices for their ARV drugs to fund R&D/further research or should these be available at cost price? WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Quick-fire Questions 1.What is technological leapfrogging? A.Technology which meets a need in an efficient way. B.Jumping from low technology to high technology in one bound. C.Jumping constantly from one type of technology to the next.

Quick-fire Questions 2. Why is access to technology so crucial in the modern world? A.It ensures a better quality of life and increases life expectancy. B.It allows people to get rich and this benefits the whole population. C.People are then able to enjoy modern entertainment devices such as ipods and mobile phones.

Quick-fire Questions 3. Why are anti-retroviral drugs not freely available despite their ability to significantly improve the qualify of and extend lives? A.Because they are too expensive to produce for the TNCs and so some people can’t afford to buy them. B.Because they are patented by TNC drug companies making them too expensive and cheaper copies are illegal. C.Because not all countries allow ARV drugs to be sold for safety reasons.

Independent Study Independent Study is VITAL at A2 level. You MUST: Do some additional research on access to technology and HIV/AIDS by following the ed web links and articles. To extend the topic to the top of Level 4 (A*) you SHOULD research other issues around access to technology such as climate change and oil shortages and compare – see extension links. There is a lot of technology stories in the news which will keep you on top of this topic so look out for them – follow up the links in the weekly s as a starting point.